Taraweeh Tonight: Connect With The Quran – First Night of Ramadan

Ramadan 2013 Posts

The Qurʾān is not a storybook of wondrous tales and ancient fables, isolated from the realities and complexities of real life. Each verse, in fact, each letter is miraculously precise in meaning, succinct in message and pure in sound.

Although it is impossible to articulate a translation that establishes clearing the majestic nature of the Qurʾān in any language of the world, nevertheless, Muslims need to become more familiar with the overall coherence of its message in their native language.

During Taraweeh, myself and other Imams will lead the congregation in prayer beginning the first night with the opening chapter of the Qurʾān and we finish it, inshā’Allāh before the end of the blessed month of Ramaḍān.

The aim of this series is to highlight key sections of the Qurʾān that will be recited each night so those who are not able to understand the Arabic reading can feel a connection with what they will hear that evening in the prayers by reading this summation.

I have selected sections of verses and have used primarily the Oxford University Press translation – The Qurʾān Translated by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem as the foundational translation. I have not been entirely faithful to it in all the selections for a variety of reasons.

I pray that Allah accepts your prayer and mine, your fast and mine and that He, the Most Generous, rewards us all more than we anticipate or deserve.

First Night of Ramaḍān

Allah, the Al-Mighty, says what can be interpreted to mean:

Surat al-Fatiha – The Opening (001)

In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy!

1. Praise belongs to God, Lord of the Worlds,

2. The Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy,

3. Master of the Day of Judgement.

4. It is You we worship; it is You we ask for help.

5. Guide us to the straight path:

6. The path of those You have blessed, those who incur no anger and who have not gone astray.

Surat al-Baqarah – The Cow (002)

In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy

1. Alif Lam Mim

2. This is the Scripture in which there is no doubt, containing guidance for those who are mindful of God,

3. Who believe in the unseen, keep up the prayer, and give out of what We have provided for them;

4. Those who believe in the revelation sent down to you [Muhammad], and in what was sent before you, those who have firm faith in the Hereafter.

5. Such people are following their Lord’s guidance and it is they who will prosper.

6. As for those who disbelieve, it makes no difference whether you warn them or not: they will not believe.

7. God has sealed their hearts and their ears, and their eyes are covered. They will have great torment.

8. Some people say, ‘We believe in God and the Last Day,’ when really they do not believe.

9. They seek to deceive God and the believers but they only deceive themselves, though they do not realize it.

10. There is a disease in their hearts, to which God has added more: agonizing torment awaits them for their persistent lying.

11. When it is said to them, ‘Do not cause corruption in the land,’ they say, ‘We are only putting things right,’

12. But really they are causing corruption, though they do not realize it.

13. When it is said to them, ‘Believe, as the others believe,’ they say, ‘Should we believe as the fools do?’ but they are the fools, though they do not know it.

Further on Allah, the Al-Mighty, says what can be interpreted to mean:

30. [Prophet], when your Lord told the angels, ‘I am putting a successor on earth,’ they said, ‘How can You put someone there who will cause damage and bloodshed, when we celebrate Your praise and proclaim Your holiness?’ but He said, ‘I know what you do not.’

31. He taught Adam all the names [of things], then He showed them to the angels and said, ‘Tell me the names of these if you truly [think you can].’

32. They said, ‘May You be glorified! We have knowledge only of what You have taught us. You are the All Knowing and All Wise.’

33. Then He said, ‘Adam, tell them the names of these.’ When he told them their names, God said, ‘Did I not tell you that I know what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and that I know what you reveal and what you conceal?’

34. When We told the angels, ‘Bow down before Adam,’ they all bowed. But not Iblis, who refused and was arrogant: he was one of the disobedient.

35. We said, ‘Adam, live with your wife in this garden. Both of you eat freely there as you will, but do not go near this tree, or you will both become wrongdoers.’

36. But Satan made them slip, and removed them from the state they were in. We said, ‘Get out, all of you! You are each other’s enemy. On earth you will have a place to stay and livelihood for a time.’

37. Then Adam received some words from his Lord and He accepted his repentance: He is the Ever Relenting, the Most Merciful.

38. We said, ‘Get out, all of you! But when guidance comes from Me, as it certainly will, there will be no fear for those who follow My guidance nor will they grieve–

39. Those who disbelieve and deny Our messages shall be the inhabitants of the Fire, and there they will remain.’

Further on Allah, the Al-Mighty, says what can be interpreted to mean:

47. Children of Israel, remember how I blessed you and favoured you over other people.

48. Guard yourselves against a Day when no soul will stand in place of another, no intercession will be accepted for it, nor any ransom; nor will they be helped.

49. Remember when We saved you from Pharaoh’s people, who subjected you to terrible torment, slaughtering your sons and sparing only your women– this was a great trial from your Lord–

50. And when We parted the sea for you, so saving you and drowning Pharaoh’s people right before your eyes.

51. We appointed forty nights for Moses [on Mount Sinai] and then, while he was away, you took to worshipping the calf– a terrible wrong.

52. Even then We forgave you, so that you might be thankful.

53. Remember when We gave Moses the Scripture, and the means to distinguish [right and wrong], so that you might be guided.

54. Moses said to his people, ‘My people, you have wronged yourselves by worshipping the calf, so repent to your Maker and kill [the guilty among] you. That is the best you can do in the eyes of your Maker.’ He accepted your repentance: He is the Ever Relenting and the Most Merciful.

55. Remember when you said, ‘Moses, we will not believe you until we see God face to face.’ At that, thunderbolts struck you as you looked on.

56. Then We revived you after your death, so that you might be thankful.

57. We made the clouds cover you with shade, and sent manna and quails down to you, saying, ‘Eat the good things We have provided for you.’ It was not Us they wronged; they wronged themselves.

Further on Allah, the Al-Mighty, says what can be interpreted to mean:

67. Remember when Moses said to his people, ‘God commands you to sacrifice a cow.’ They said, ‘Are you making fun of us?’ He answered, ‘God forbid that I should be so ignorant.’

68. They said, ‘Call on your Lord for us, to show us what sort of cow it should be.’

He answered, ‘God says it should be neither too old nor too young, but in between, so do as you are commanded.’

69. They said, ‘Call on your Lord for us, to show us what colour it should be.’ He answered, ‘God says it should be a bright yellow cow, pleasing to the eye.’

70. They said, ‘Call on your Lord for us, to show us [exactly] what it is: all cows are more or less alike to us. With God’s will, we shall be guided.’

71. He replied, ‘It is a perfect and unblemished cow, not trained to till the earth or water the fields.’ They said, ‘Now you have brought the truth,’ and so they slaughtered it, though they almost failed to do so.

72. Then, when you [Israelites] killed someone and started to blame one another– although God was to bring what you had concealed to light–

73. We said, ‘Strike the [body] with a part of [the cow]’: thus God brings the dead to life and shows His signs so that you may understand.

74. Even after that, your hearts became as hard as rocks, or even harder, for there are rocks from which streams spring out, and some from which water comes when they split open, and others which fall down in awe of God: He is not unaware of what you do.

Further on Allah, the Al-Mighty, says what can be interpreted to mean:

87. We gave Moses the Scripture and We sent messengers after him in succession. We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. So how is it that, whenever a messenger brings you something you do not like, you become arrogant, calling some impostors and killing others?

88. They say, ‘Our hearts are impenetrably wrapped [against whatever you say],’ but God has rejected them for their disbelief: they have little faith.

89. When a Scripture came to them from God confirming what they already had, and when they had been praying for victory against the disbelievers, even when there came to them something they knew [to be true], they disbelieved in it: God rejects those who disbelieve.

90. Low indeed is the price for which they have sold their souls by denying the God-sent truth, out of envy that God should send His bounty to any of His servants He pleases. The disbelievers have ended up with wrath upon wrath, and a humiliating torment awaits them.

91. When it is said to them, ‘Believe in God’s revelations,’ they reply, ‘We believe in what was revealed to us,’ but they do not believe in what came afterwards, though it is the truth confirming what they already have. Say [Muhammad], ‘Why did you kill God’s prophets in the past if you were true believers?

92. Moses brought you clear signs, but then, while he was away, you chose to worship the calf– you did wrong.’

Further on Allah, the Al-Mighty, says what can be interpreted to mean:

122. Children of Israel, remember how I blessed you and favoured you over other people,

123. and beware of a Day when no soul can stand in for another. No compensation will be accepted from it, nor intercession be of use to it, nor will anyone be helped.

124. When Abraham’s Lord tested him with certain commandments, which he fulfilled, He said, ‘I will make you a leader of people.’ Abraham asked, ‘And will You make leaders from my descendants too?’ God answered, ‘My pledge does not hold for those who do evil.’

125. We made the House a resort and a sanctuary for people, saying, ‘Take the spot where Abraham stood as your place of prayer.’ We commanded Abraham and Ishmael: ‘Purify My House for those who walk round it, those who stay there, and those who bow and prostrate themselves in worship.’

126. Abraham said, ‘My Lord, make this land secure and provide with produce those of its people who believe in God and the Last Day.’ God said, ‘As for those who disbelieve, I will grant them enjoyment for a short while and then subject them to the torment of the Fire– an evil destination.’

127. As Abraham and Ishmael built up the foundations of the House [they prayed], ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us. You are the All Hearing, the All Knowing.

128. Our Lord, make us devoted to You; make our descendants into a community devoted to You. Show us how to worship and accept our repentance, for You are the Ever Relenting, the Most Merciful.

129. Our Lord, make a messenger of their own rise up from among them, to recite Your revelations to them, teach them the Scripture and wisdom, and purify them: You are the Mighty, the Wise.’

Further on Allah, the Al-Mighty, says what can be interpreted to mean:

149. [Prophet], wherever you may have started out, turn your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque– this is the truth from your Lord: He is not unaware of what you do–

150. Wherever you may have started out, turn your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque; wherever any of you may be, turn your faces towards it, so that people may have no argument against you – except for the wrongdoers among them: do not fear them; fear Me– and so that I may perfect My favour on you and you may be guided,

151. Just as We have sent among you a Messenger of your own to recite Our revelations to you, purify you and teach you the Scripture, wisdom, and [other] things you did not know.

152. So remember Me; I will remember you. Be thankful to Me, and never ungrateful.

153. You who believe, seek help through steadfastness and prayer, for God is with the steadfast.

154. Do not say that those who are killed in God’s cause are dead; they are alive, though you do not realize it.

155. We shall certainly test you with fear and hunger, and loss of property, lives, and crops. But [Prophet], give good news to those who are steadfast,

156. Those who say, when afflicted with a calamity, ‘We belong to God and to Him we shall return.’

157. These will be given blessings and mercy from their Lord, and it is they who are rightly guided.