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According to Muslim belief, the Quran is the exact word of God delivered to prophet Muhammad through angel Gabriel (i.e. Jibril.) Here is a very short set of selections from the Quran spanning several topics that might pique your interest, although only a full reading of the Quran will do the Quran proper justice.
PERSPECTIVE
Know that the life of this world is nothing more than distraction and games; an alluring show of boasting and accumulating wealth and children. Its example is like plentiful vegetation (growing) after a constant rain - a delight to the gardener! However, it soon withers, and you see it turning yellow; then it crumbles into dust. Quran 57:20
… you prefer the life of this world; But the Hereafter is better and more enduring. Quran 87:16-17
O human being, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous, Quran 82:6
ARROGANCE
“And swell not your cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for God loves not any self-deluded boaster. Quran 31:18
HEEDLESSNESS
So remember Me [God]; I will remember you. Quran 2:152
I [God] respond to the call of him who calls. Let them then respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they might follow the right way Quran 2:186
It’s not their eyes that are blind, but the hearts within their chests Quran 22:46
GRATITUDE
And when your Lord proclaimed: If you give thanks, I will give you more Quran 14:7
If you are grateful, He [God] likes that quality in you. Quran 39:7
Whosoever gives thanks, he only gives thanks for (the good of) his own soul: and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul’s hurt). For lo! My Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful. Quran 27:40
PURITY
Is the reward of goodness aught save goodness? Quran 55:60
For God loves those who turn to Him constantly, and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. Quran 2:222
God loves those who make themselves pure. Quran 9:108
CHARITY & CHARACTER
Our life takes its color from God, and who gives a better color than God? It is him we worship. Quran 2:138
It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your wealth, however much you might love it, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which you have made; and to be patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress. Such are they who are sincere. Such are those who are conscious of God. Quran 2:177
You will not attain unto [true] piety until you spend [from] that which you love. And whatsoever you spend, God is Aware thereof. Quran 3:92
Hasten towards your Lord’s forgiveness and to a Garden as wide as the heavens and the earth -prepared for the God conscious. Those who spend [seeking to please God] in good times and bad, and those who restrain their temper, and those who forgive others. God loves those who do good. And those when they did something shameful or wronged their souls, remembered God and sought His forgiveness, and who can pardon except God?—and they do not knowingly persist in what they did. Their reward will be forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow -an eternal dwelling. What an excellent reward for those who labored [in the world for God]! Quran 3:133-135
… you should be kind to your parents. Whether one or both of them becomes old in your lifetime, never speak to them disrespectfully nor scold them, but rather speak to them in generous terms. Kindly lower the wing of humility towards them and say, “My Lord! Be merciful to them even as they cherished me when I was small.” Quran 17:23-24
… do good; for God loves those who do good. Quran 2:195
There is no compulsion in religion. Quran 2:256
JUSTICE
God does not love corruption Quran 2:205
O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the desires (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do. Quran 4:135
And We set a just balance for the Day of Resurrection so that no soul is wronged in aught. Though it be of the weight of a grain of mustard seed, We bring it. Quran 21:47
KNOWLEDGE & TRUTH
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” Quran 20:114
Do not mix truth with falsehood, or knowingly conceal the truth. Quran 2:42
PATIENCE & PERSEVERANCE
Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, Who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To God We belong, and to Him is our return”:- They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from God, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance. Quran 2:155-157
GOD
No vision can encompass Him, but He encompasses all vision. He is the All Subtle, the All Aware. Quran 6:103
REWARDS
No soul knows what is kept hid for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do. Quran 32:17
OPTIMISM
Don’t lose hope or get despondent, for you must triumph, that is if you really believe. Quran 3:139
So indeed, with hardship [also, or consequently] ease; indeed, with hardship [also, or consequently] ease Quran 94:5-6
If God finds any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than what has been taken from you Quran 8:70
HYPOCRISY
[God says] O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? It is most hateful in the sight of God that you say that which you do not do. Quran 61:2-3
JEALOUSY
And strain not thine eyes toward that which We cause some wedded pairs among them to enjoy, the flower of the life of the world, that We may try them thereby. The provision of thy Lord is better and more lasting. Quran 20:131
Note: The Quran only exists in Arabic. However, non-Arabic speaking Muslims can refer to local translations of the meaning of the Quran to read.
(Excerpt from book "Easily Understand Islam")
Click to read sample chapters from the book below
Table of Contents
Why is there Evil and Suffering?
Why I Believe in God — A Muslim Speaks
The Quran, Modern Science, and More
Islam & Racism
Islam: A Solution for America’s Social Problems?
Some Muslim Virtues (Sayings of the Prophet)
Section IV: Islam & Christianity
Common Ground: Judaism, Christianity & Islam