Allama Ghulam Ahmad Parwez (1903-1985), an outstanding and
distinguished scholar of Islam, was the author of over forty
books on various topics of the Quran. His most famous works in
Urdu include:-
- "Mafhum-ul-Quran" (Exposition of the Holy Quran)
- "Lugh’at-ul-Quran" (Dictionary of the
words and concepts of the Quran) - Four Volumes
- "Mat’alib-ul-Furq’an" (Tafseer
of the Holy Quran) - Six Volumes (Seventh volume is being
printed posthumously)
- "Tabweeb-ul-Quran" (Classification of
the Holy Quran) - Three Volumes
- "Meraj-e-Insaniyyat" (Biography of Muhammad
Rasool-Allah (peace be upon him))
- "Niz’am-e-Rabubiyyat" (Quranic
Economic Order) and numerous others
Apart from the above, he also wrote a book "Islam - A
Challenge to Religion" in English.
He was the founder of Tolu-e-Islam, a monthly magazine,
which he started in 1938 at the instance of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and
under the guidance of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of
Pakistan. This magazine is being published regularly even after his
death.
It was his ardent desire and of all those influenced by his unique
interpretation of the Holy Quran, to render his works into
English so that the educated modern youth in Pakistan and abroad
should be able to understand and appreciate the real message of Islam.
This urge and demand increased particularly after he published his
reputed book
"Islam - A Challenge to Religion"
It was in 1983 that he undertook the project of rendering into
English his celebrated work titled "Mafhum-ul-Quran."
He could only complete upto Surah Al-Kahaf (18) -
slightly more than half the text of the Quran - when illness
overtook him in October 1984, out of which he could not survive and
breathed his last on the evening of 24th February 1985. After his
death the Tolu-e-Islam Trust took up the editing of this work
and its publication.
The reader would notice that some of the Quranic terms are retained
as such (in Arabic) in this exposition, e.g., Allah, Deen,
Hamd, K’afir, Momin, Mushrik, Nabi,
Rahman, Raheem, Rasool, Sal’at, Zak’at,
etc. These concepts have special significance in the Quran and
it is just not possible to translate them in few words in English (as
would be appreciated while consulting the Glossary of Terms). The
other reason was their oft-repeated use in the Quran, and every
time their elaboration was not possible. Their translation in one
word, as had been done by almost all the other translators, would only
convey Biblical or conventional concepts, which, in many cases is
contrary to or far away from the concepts of the Holy Quran.
The third reason was the inability of the English language to convey
the concepts of Arabic language, which is the richest language in the
world. For instance, Quran has used three different words while
describing the various stages of the creation of the universe: Khalaqa,
Fatara, and Bada’a. English language, on the
other hand, has only one word "Created" which fails to
explain the subtle differences between these stages.
In general it is very difficult to translate a piece of literature
from one language into another; particularly to translate the language
of Allah’s Revelation, the Holy Quran, retaining its beauty,
force, seriousness and grandeur is just not possible. A language coins
particular words according to the traditions of its people, culture,
concepts and values; so how could it be possible for English, or for
that matter, any other language, to give one word for a concept which
does not exist in their culture? Hence the necessity of retaining
these words in Arabic and adding a Glossary of these terms. In the
Quranic text certain places have been specifically mentioned. A map
has been added to assist the readers to be appraised of their
geographical location.
The reader would find a new approach in this presentation which is
different from all other translations in English. As the title
explains, this presentation is not the translation of the Holy Quran,
but its "Exposition."
While giving cross references of the verses, the number of Surah
is quoted first and then the verse number, e.g., (5/38) means Surah
Al-Ma’ida (5), Verse 38. Since presently only first
eighteen Surah are being published, the reader may consult any
other copy of the Holy Quran to refer to the verses quoted
beyond Surah 18; the next volume (Vol. 2) containing the
remaining 96 Surah will, Insha-Allah, be presented in
due course of time.
Another feature of this presentation is that its pages run from
right to left as against the normal English pattern. This mode has
been adopted to maintain the Quranic sequence of its verses. The
readers are requested to keep this in mind.
It is an honest and serious human effort to convey the pristine
concepts of the Holy Quran. The original Arabic text of Wahi,
however, is eternal and its interpretation during any span of time
cannot be taken as the last word; that shall have to be left to the
last man on earth. As Allah has stated in the Holy Quran
(41:53), The TRUTH of His Guidance shall ever continue to
manifest itself in the outer space and within the human psyche till IT
is finally established. The reflection of any human error in this
work, therefore, should in no case be attributed to Allah’s message.
The Trust shall highly appreciate if any shortcomings, indicated in
good faith, are brought to their notice for future improvements.
However, the readers who do not find this exposition satisfying, may
ponder over the original Quranic text themselves.
It may be worth mentioning that Allama Ghulam Ahmad Parwez could
not take up the translation of the first two chapters of his original
Urdu work namely, (i) Al-Quran-al-Azeem and (ii) T’aaruf
(introduction), during his lifetime. Perhaps he had intended to do
this after completing the work on whole of the Quran.
Therefore, for the time being, the Trust decided to present only the
part completed by him. These two chapters will, Insha-Allah, be
added to this work when translation of the remaining 96 Surahs is also
published.
The Trust shall feel amply rewarded for their efforts in presenting
this Exposition, if it attracts even a single soul towards The TRUTH
contained in the Holy Quran and he seeks to illuminate the path
of his life with the light that is Allah’s Revelation - The Quran.
23rd February 1990.
Tolu-e-Islam Trust
25-B, Gulberg-2, Lahore-11, Pakistan.
042-5753666, 042-5764484