Free Ebook The Essential Koran: The Heart of Islam, by Thomas Cleary
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The Essential Koran: The Heart of Islam, by Thomas Cleary
Free Ebook The Essential Koran: The Heart of Islam, by Thomas Cleary
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From the Back Cover
The Essential Koran will be essential reading for all who seek the core of Islamic spirituality.
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About the Author
Thomas Cleary is the preeminent translator of classic Eastern texts, including The Essential Tao, The Essential Confucius, The Secret of the Golden Flower, and the bestselling The Art of War.
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Product details
Paperback: 203 pages
Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco; Reprint edition (March 11, 1994)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062501984
ISBN-13: 978-0062501981
Product Dimensions:
5.2 x 0.5 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:
4.1 out of 5 stars
37 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#868,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
In my oppinion (speaking as a Muslim who has a hobby of looking at different Koran/Qur'an translations), this is the best one for obtaining an introductory understanding of the linguistic nuances and subtle allusions that is out there. Cleary presents a translation of the Koran by explaining linguistic concepts and not doctrine or theology. His elimination of the Masculine gender for God (by replacing it with the name God), however, while being unique, sometimes disrupts the flow of a few passages of the text.Overall, I am completely satisfied with this earlier translation of the Koran (his later translation, while complete, has no ilucidating or explicating comments), making this the primary edition.Below are a couple excerpts (from the introduction and from the Chapter entitled "Light" [along with its accompanying notes]), for the interested reader."One particular problem in rendering the Qur'an into English is presented by the numerous intensive forms used to refer to attributes of God. There are different forms of intensification in Arabic, with different ways of interpreting or describing even one form. In this English version, general, encompassing terms of intensity are used, with the provision that these expressions are intended to function as points from which the consciousness of the reader is to launch upwards toward contemplation of supernal ideals. The purpose, in other words, is not to represent God in human terms but to use human language as a means of directing the eye of contemplation toward the inexpressible infinity of the spiritual and metaphysical realities symbolized by language.In stringing these verses together in a rosary for recitation, for the most part I have followed the Arabic original in division of verses. The division of verses into lines, in contrast, has nothing to do with the Arabic original but with the cadence of the English and the psychological weighting of words, which have tremendous individual force in the Qur'an.In this connection, it is essential to observe that this English version is intentionally designed for reading aloud, for absorption and reflection, because this is characteristic of the Qur'an itself, from the very beginning of its revelation.""LightIN THE NAME OF GOD, THE COMPASSIONATE, THE MERCIFUL(35-42)God is the light of the heavens and the earth.The simile of God's light is like a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp in a globe of glass, the globe of glass as if it were a shining star, lit from a blessed olive treeneither of the East nor of the West, its light nearly luminouseven if fire did not touch it.Light upon light!God guides to this lightwhomever God will: and God gives people examples; and God knows all things.The light is in houseswhich God has allowed to be raisedthat the name of God be remembered there, where God is glorified in the mornings and the evenings, by people who are not diverted by business or commerce from remembrance of God and persistence in prayer and giving of alms, as they fear a day on whichhearts and eyes will be transformed,that God may reward them for the best of what they did, and grant them even more from the grace divine.And God provides without measure to whomever God will.As for the ungrateful who do not have faith, their works are like a mirage on a plain, which the thirsty man thinks to be water until he comes to it and finds nothing there-- but he finds God in his presence, andGod pays him his earnings; and God is swift in accounting-- or like the darknesses in an ocean deep and vastcovered over with waves, upon them waves, over them clouds.Darknesses one on top of another; if one stretched forth a hand, one would hardly see it.And whoever God gives no lighthas no light at all.Do you not see that God is glorified by all beings in the heavens and the earth, even the birds on the wing?Each one knows its own mode of prayer and of praise: and God is aware of all that they do.For to God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and the journey is to God.""Light (al Nuur) (Chapter 24)This chapter was revealed at Medina. I begin my selection from the famous Light Verse, one of the most prized of all passages from the Qur'an. The earlier verses of this chapter deal with social mores, including themes of chastity, privacy, modesty, and keeping innocent of vicious gossip.36 "in houses which God has allowed to be raised": The word "raised" may be understood in the concrete sense of "set up," meaning houses of devotion built especially for constant remembrance of God; and the abstract sense of "elevate," meaning houses ennobled by constant remembrance of God.37 "people who are not diverted": Some take this to refer to people who leave off worldly occupations to devote themselves completely to remembrance of God; others take it to refer to people whose worldly occupations do not distract them from constant and complete devotion to God.39 "their works are like a mirage on a plain": Works emanating from human folly are based on subjective considerations and thus ultimately prove objectively insubstantial.40 "or like the darknesses": This again refers to the works of ingrates who refuse to acknowledge the source of all being. The ocean is their consciousness, the darknesses are layers of ignorance, the waves are impulsive imaginings, the waves upon waves are rationalizations of their imaginings, the clouds are biases and blind spots."if one stretched forth a hand, one would hardly see it": The ignorance and blindness of the ungrateful not only hinders them from acknowledging the ultimate end, it veils them from the truth of what is near at hand."whoever God gives no light has no light at all": All true knowledge is from Truth: subjective human imagination has no connection with ultimate reality."
Read this for a Philosophies of Religion class and read the whole thing, easy ride and nicely insightful.
Cleary has done a quite a few "essential" translations of sacred texts and this is just one in the series. It's titled, "The Essential Koran" because Cleary focuses on the spirit of the book and leaves out much of the narrations on jurisprudence. It's the passages that are central to the creed of the faith and are most memorized and recited by adherents that are reflected in this collection. Considering that I've gone through at least 12 copies of this book over the last 10 years, I probably should have drafted a review when I received my first copy. Every so often I'll look at my library and find that I've given away my last copy and I'll inevitably order a few more copies.So, why do I love sharing this book with people? Aside from that which is mentioned above, it's eloquently written and easy to read for those who are cannot read & understand the classical Arabic Qur'an. At about 200 pages long, it's not as intimidating as the full translation. It's just enough text for those who are unfamiliar with the Qur'an to give one a clear and precise vision of the original in a succinct, yet nuanced manner. Readers looking for the real 'meat and potatoes' of the Qur'an and those with an interest in linguistics will find it particularly appealing.Cleary addresses this in the introduction:". . . The Qur'an is extremely dense and extraordinarily intense. The present collection of readings from the Qur'an is simply designed to help non-Muslim Westerners approach this sacred book and savor something of its literally amazing power and grace through a selection of chapters and verses encapsulating some of the central ideas and essential beauties of the Book."This translation is meant to be a recitation. Cleary states:"In stringing these verses together in a rosary for recitation, for the most part I have followed the Arabic original in division of verses. The division of verses into lines, in contrast, has nothing to do with the Arabic original but with the cadence of the English and the psychological weighting of words, which have tremendous individual force in the Qur'an.In this connection, it is essential to observe that this English version is intentionally designed for reading aloud, for absorption and reflection, because this is characteristic of the Qur'an itself, from the very beginning of its revelation."Cleary's selections leave those who are touched by that message and spirit wanting so much more. Cleary's full translation of the Qur'an is titled, "The Qur'an: A New Translation" and that is truly a masterpiece.Take the 1-2 star reviews with a grain of salt; they seem to be ramblings of those who have a xenophobic attitude towards Muslims or Islam itself. The translation itself is sound and an essential addition to one's library. For those starting to delve into the one of the most revered sacred texts in history, this is a fine introduction.
Here, Cleary successfully captures the lyrical, lilting, poetic prose of the Arabic language that has served to spiritually lift the emotions and minds of the readers of the Koran. Cleary explains the main reason why Arabic an present complex ideas and emotions.
Good and easy to read translation of the Quran
I bought this wonderful little volume for a class on Islam. It was very helpful for learning with Muslims both Clerics and Layperson as guest lecturers.
Amazing quality book and exceptional read!Very recommend
Very clear and beautiful translation!!
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