In translating the Arabic Text...

In translating the Arabic Text, for every verse and even for every Phrase, I have referred to all the existing important English Translations Such as that of Sale'sِArthur J.ArberyِN.J. DawoodِAbdullah Yusef Ali and Dr M.H. Shakir. I have collated and made a careful comparison of their translation and the original Arabic text to the meaning of which I am not much unaware. In this comparison my scale and criterion has been the Farsi translation of His Holiness Ayatollah AL-OZMA MAKAREM SHIRAZI.

Besides; I have added the especial views of his Holiness in between parenthesis as he himself has done in his Persian version. In this respect I have done my best, and only for the sake of God, and nothing else; so as to produce a clean, correct, and expressive translation of the Holy Book that has been my favourite throughout my life.

I have avoided entirely the customary Archaic language, and have made my translation in the simplest form, and the most correct meaning as I could, so that the common people speaking English and even the laymen might read and understand the intention of their Lord God. But how far have I succeeded to approach my goal? This is a matter to be judged by the dear and learned reader.

[ 16 ] AS FOR THE COMMENTARY The Example Commentary of His holiness is a great voluminous collective work done by 15 scholars and learned commentators, all well versed in Qura"n Who worked hard for some 10 years under the direct control and direction of Ayatollah Al-Ozma-Makarem. Therefore the life of an individual like me will not suffice to perform even half of the translation.

On the other hand his holiness has written this great book for the Persians who are almost all Shiites, and also they believe in the matter. But I am translating it for the English speaking world who are almost all Christians, and among them we may find many people who hate Islam, and don't believe most of the matters.

To this effect my translation is focused on a certain Quotations from the whole work, that may illustrate what is the truth about Islam; who is the God that We Moslems worship, and what about Resurrection Day. And matters that are common to all in Islam. And these quotations I have translated and written in my own special literature and simple language for common people.

As a matter of fact the Soul and spirit of the translation belongs to his Holiness Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi; and its body has been shaped and formed by me.