In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

For anyone who wants to learn about Islam and the Quran, the translation of the Quran by Dr. Rashad Khalifa is indispensable. When it comes to unbiased scientific scholarship, accurate translation of the original text (Arabic), clarity, and an understanding of verses in both original and contemporary contexts, the Khalifa translation is without precedent. The Khalifa translation is more than a translation. Dr. Khalifa discovered a miraculous mathematical code embedded in the text of Quran that confirms that the message of the Quran is a flawless revealed message for humanity. The simple elements of the mathematical code are in the appendices of the translation. An aspirant of God’s pleasure, Dr. Khalifa was also blessed with important clarifications of Islam (e.g., submission to God alone) and rites of worship ordained for humanity. Detractors of the Khalifa translation have engaged in a 26-year long effort to malign the translation, discourage others from reading it, and, in some cases, destroy copies of the translation. Ironically, in one respect, their misguided efforts constitute a strong recommendation of the Khalifa translation. The translation of the Quran by Dr. Rashad Khalifa is nothing short of an apocalyptic event for sincere seekers and scholars.

E. Douglass Brown, Ph.D., USA (Clinical and Consulting Psychologist)

[Review Text God willing].

Abdullah Arik, USA (Director ICS/Masjid Tucson)

I was very fortunate to find this particular translation of the Quran. In the 80’s, when I wanted to know more about Islam, it was hard to find much information at all. I have seen other translations and found them hard to read and understand. So when I was given Rashad Khalifa’s translation, I knew I had found something special. This is in plain English, clear and concise. There is so much misinformation out there that it’s a blessing to find a book that shows you the truth. I was especially pleased to read about animals and nature in the Quran. It clearly shows God’s love for all His creatures. As a dog trainer and animal lover, it disturbed me that Islam seemed to be almost anti-dog. The Quran plainly shows that this is a cultural bias, not a part of the scripture. The Quran makes it clear that animals, indeed all natural things, are to be cared for and appreciated as gifts from God. I’m not sure I would have truly realized all this from another translation. I hope that more and more people will check out this excellent work. It gives me hope for the future of the world, if we can come to a better understanding of all religions.

Dr. Khalifa was a modern-day pioneer of not relying on traditional commentaries in translating the Quran. His twofold approach of letting the Quran speak for itself while at the same time unfolding its underlying numerical pattern to modern day readers is truly a significant breakthrough in bringing a better understanding and clarity of the message.

Gatut Adisoma, Ph.D., Indonesia (Business Executive)

Back in the 1970's when I began researching/searching the world's religions and their scriptures there was no translation done by a native speaker of Arabic who was also a Muslim. That lack was filled by Dr. Rashad Khalifa, who published his first full translation of the Quran (Koran) in 1981. Reading that translation and his subsequent revisions have been an eye-opening experience for me. As a western woman I was harshly critical of what I understood to be Islam's attitude toward women, and as a human being I was fearful of the way I thought Islam viewed the west and it's people. Fortunately Khalifa's work makes it very clear that men and women are absolutely equal in God's eyes, and in fact women's rights are specifically guarded in the Quran. Furthermore, to quote Khalifa's translation of the critical verse 2:62 (which is repeated in the Quran word for word as 5:69): "Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve." Khalifa gives this verse the subtitle "Unity of All Submitters" which I find particularly hopeful in today's sadly divided world.

The clarity of this translation and it's many explanatory footnotes and appendices have made it indispensable in my research and writing. I recommend it without hesitation.

Khalifa’s Quran translation is the clearest and easiest to understand that I’ve come across. Written in contemporary English, it conveys his strong grasp of spiritual matters and appeals to the common sense of anyone who loves God. For example, his translation of 2:190 and the accompanying note strike a strong note against the extremist views of terrorists. The plain translation of 2:62 and 5:69 support the inclusive thinking of Islam, and shows that the Quran speaks for freedom of religion (2:256, 18:29) and guaranteed human rights (5:8, 49:13).

Rules of War*

[2:190] You may fight in the cause of GOD against those who attack you, but do not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors.
*2:190 All fighting is regulated by the basic rule in 60:8-9. Fighting is allowed strictly in self-defense, while aggression and oppression are strongly condemned throughout the Quran.

A distinguishing feature of the translation is its highlighting of the word “God” along with a running count of this word, on each page. The total at the end of the Quran is shown to be 2698 (a number divisible by 19). Khalifa’s translation discusses a unique mathematical phenomenon in the Quran. Fourteen sets of Quranic initials prefix chapters of the Quran (e.g., A.L.M. in chapter 2:1)¹. Analyzing the text of the Quran entered into a computer, Khalifa found the counts of these initials in their respective chapters to be divisible by 19. Further, a variety of other Quranic parameters, such as the set of chapters, the set of all verses in the Quran, and the letters in the Basmala², all had a count divisible by 19³. The numerous such 19-related facts in the Quran are explained as serving as a “signature” or “checksum”. Appendix 1 of the translation suggests these all point to the first commandment (Oneness of God⁴,⁵,⁶), and the Quranic assurance of preservation (15:9). Computers did not exist when the Quran was revealed (AD 610). Maintaining such counts by hand and editing a scripture to match would have been an overwhelming task. The Quran makes reference to a miracle related to the number 19 in chapter 74:30-35, and Khalifa concludes this as evidence of divine authorship of the Quran to be unveiled by a mathematically and technologically sophisticated generation.

Faiz Currim, Ph.D, USA / India (Information Systems faculty)