consider to be irreconcilable wich modern thought. There are others wha} upproach the Qur’an with the poet’s or mystic’s approach and help make the Qur’an a mystery and enigma.

Now let us turn to the Explanatory Notes. Sometimes it is asked, “Why should any notes be added to a translation? Why not let the Qur'an speak for itself?” Indeed, the Qur'an does eloquently speak for itself. It did not require any notes at the time of its revelation. The Holy Prophet was its living commentary, and the addressees were well acquainted with its style and the backgrounds of its discourses. But with the passage of time, it was felt that many things needed explanation for their fuller comprehension, and the scholars of the Qur'an rose to the occasion in every age and fulfilled the need. That is why Explanatory Notes have been added to this interpretation. They explain the difficult passages and show the continuity of the theme and the interconnection between the verses and indicate the background wherever necessary. They also contain relevant quotations from the Traditions of the Holy Prophet, the Bible, the Talmud, and books on Fiqh, etc. They also discuss the problems relating to the Islamic way of life but avoid unnecessary controversies. In short, these Notes help understand the Qur'an by removing those difficulties which a modern reader encounters.

In order to avyuid the common defecis of the existing English lranslations, the following devices have been adopted in “The meaning of the Quran”:

1. An attempt has been made to express the meaning of the Qur’an in simple, clear and effective modern English, An explanatory translation into intelligible English has been adopted and appropriate words have been placed within brackets to fill up the gaps which necessarily occur in every translation, Full care, however, has been taken to remain faithful to the original.

2. Anticipated difficulties have heen removed and likely objections answered in the Lntroduction to each Sirah.

3. The background of every Surah has been given in its intreduction and the periods the circumstances and the occasion of its tevelation have been specified, for cvery digcourse has its own