THE QUR’AN IS ONLY THE QUR’AN IN ARABIC

On occasions I have told people the truth about the 'inspiration' I had in 1977 and it is obvious in a few instances there have been misunderstandings. I want to stress that the 'inspiration' I had in 1977 was about the Qur’an, it was not about any translation of that Holy text.

The Qur’an is only the Qur’an in Arabic – no translation nor interpretation of the Qur’an can replace the original Arabic text, nor do it justice.

There is an excellent commentary on Islamqa.org about the revelation of the Qur'an in Arabic. The link is Islamqa.org - Arabic Qur'an. 

The reason why there was such a long time between the 'inspiration' in 1977 and my embracing of Islam in 1983 was because of my personality, my nature. During the late 1970s I wanted to be alone and shunned other people’s company and even today I tend to be reclusive. I like being alone with Him.

Aside from going to work and basics, such as going shopping, I had little to do with other people and didn’t go to the masjid nor mix in the Muslim community.

I suffer from an anxiety disorder, which can be acute on occasions, and I find I can take comfort from Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala - glory be to Him, the Most High) by doing Dhikr, reciting Qur'an or even just going for a drive and thinking about Him.

I have had it from when I was a young man, my late teens. I told my general practitioner (GP) at the time. He was concerned and recommended I seek professional advice. It's possible the disorder was triggered by fierce arguments I had with my father about his treatment of my mother.

You cannot wrong your wife like that and expect it to be swept under the carpet. Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala - glory be to Him, the Most High) never forgets.

Parents need to remember that children are most impressionable and coming from a family like mine - practising Christians - you don't expect drunkenness and adultery in your father who is supposed to be setting a righteous example.

However, in the late 1970s because of my wish to be alone, my failure to mix in the Muslim community, I did not practise Islam correctly and did not begin to do so until I recited the first Kalimah in 1983 – ‘La ilaha ill-Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasoolullah’ [there is no god but Allah and Muhammad (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is His Messenger].

It is true that after I had the 'inspiration' in 1977 I described myself as a Muslim – I sincerely believed in my heart that Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala - Glory be to Him, the Most High) was the One and only God.

I made the claim with the utmost sincerity and it certainly had nothing to do with me holding any heretical beliefs, such as those espoused by the Qadiyanis or Ahmadis or any other cult.

I have never been a Qadiyani nor an Ahmadi and have never told anybody that I was. Nor have I ever been a Shi'ah – I have heard that whisper back on a few occasions.

The Qadiyanis or Ahmadis, whatever name you want to call them by, are not Muslims. Indeed, anybody who claims that there has been another Prophet after the Prophet Muhammad (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is not a Muslim and to claim otherwise is to reject the teachings of Islam.

As for the Shi'ah, their case is with Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala - Glory be to Him, the Most High). I am not qualified to comment upon their affairs.

WEBCOPY 29 NOV 25

WEBCOPY 25 FEB 26 EDITED

WEBCOPY 26 FEB 26 CORRECTIONS 1ST

WEBCOPY 26 FEB 26 MORE CHANGES 2ND