Unlike Jews or Christians 1:7

To be a Muslim is to be a peace maker; one who constantly seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for harmonious co-existence and world peace - God wants his creation to be in peace, that is the chief purpose of religion - Mike Ghouse

An Apology to Jews, Christians and others
http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Quraan/Not-like-Jews-and-Christians.asp

If you are a Jew or a Christian and happen to pick a 'free copy of the Qur'aan' and read the book. You may find it pleasant for a few minutes and then, you probably would choke.

You may go to the very first page and read the first line: "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful", it sounds good, may be you would say Jesus, Krishna or Yahweh, but then decide Allah is fine too, it is another way of addressing the creator.

The second verse reads, “All praise is due to God alone, the Sustainer of all the worlds" you may get excited and say wow, Praise the lord Brother, that's' right, all praise is due to God alone.

The third verse sounds similar to the first one, however the first one is really not the first one, but an introductory verse for every chapter. Ok, the third verse is an integral part of the chapter 1, Fateha, the opening or the beginning which reads 1:3 “The Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace,”

So far, so good.

What comes now is the verse 1:4 “Lord of the Day of Judgment!” You may find that interesting as well, it sounds like the Muslims also believe in the day of reckoning.

Going to the 5th verse, 1:5 “Thee alone do we worship; and unto Thee alone do we turn for aid.” You nod in agreement and feel good that you picked another good book to read.

Here comes the next verse, 1:6 “Guide us the straight way.” – You may or may not ponder but you are eager to finish the first chapter and go to the next line.

1:7 "The Way of those on whom you have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians).

You may spill your coffee from the rude shock you get, and perhaps get offended. You may simply close the book and look again on the cover as if to make sure it was the Qur’aan you just read, and it was.

You may call your dear one to come and see it, it is disgusting!

That would be my response too.
Peace be upon you my friends.

For thousands of years, Muslims, like Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhist, Zoroastrians or others simply recited the verses in Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Pali or Avesta without paying attention to what it really meant. It was a ritual, it was needed to be read, you read it and off you went.

A few years ago, one of my friends gave me the looks of disbelief when I said the word Islam meant peace. Later on he opened the first page of the Qur’aan and his finger went right to verse 7. I was completely taken back. I knew some thing was not right about that translation, God could not have said that, but I could not deny the fact of what I saw. I had no words and my mind was racing to drop out of this or search for the truth.

Just then, Sheila Musaji, another activist sent me a discovery she had made about the same verse and several others.

It was quite an awakening to me, as it would have been to those Jews, Christians, Hindus and others who may have read this particular verse and perhaps sixty other verses that had similar tone.

I became acutely aware of the different translations that were available and also became conscious of the fact that most of the average people do not pay attention to the meaning of the words of the holy book, any holy book for that matter, as religion is no more than a ritual for the most.

Now, with all my humility, I apologize to my Hindu, Christian, Jewish friends in particular and all others in general for not doing our part in being aware of the flaws in our own understanding of the holy books.

Please don't throw away that mis-translated Qur’aan you have on your hands, but know for sure, what you have read was not what God meant. God willing, in a few months, I will put together all the 18 translations for you to ponder and get the real sense of goodness Qur’aan and all other holy books have.

My recollection of asking a question to my Imam came alive, he pulled the Qur’aan out and pointed the translation out to me, and it was what it was. However, I did not feel right about it and my heart sank, the idea of staying away from it grew strongly and I did it for a while.

I owe my gratitude to Karen Armstrong, who has helped me develop an understanding of Islam, the Prophet and the Qur’aan. I read her book “Mohammad” and that truly changed my relationship with the Prophet. Till then he was a divine figure, remote and inaccessible to me. When I learned about him through Armstrong's book, I knew the man I could relate with, some one who was as human as I was, and a model of humility*, and someone who could help me think about co-existence and pluralism, since then he has become my mentor right along with Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and my father. Thanks to Armstrong for giving me this bridge.

I have been studying the pluralism models* Prophet Muhammad had created for good citizenship and a world of justice and peace. I must also acknowledge the reinforcing I got from hearing Imam Feisal Abdul Raouf and Dr. Assani of Harvard in opening the windows of knowledge for me. Although Imam Zia Shaikh of Irving is much younger than me, his dialogue with me was more like an affectionate father talking to his son treating on par. Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci's advise relating to Unity Day and a few other issues leave a deep impression of the man's commitment to be just and equitable. I appreciate all these affections and I thank God for these people and my Jewish friend Bernie Mayoff for sharing his genuine feelings about verse 1:7 as he read.

Islam to me is about striving for justice and working towards creating peaceful societies, our words and actions must be geared to reduce conflicts, and foster goodwill among peoples of different faith.

I am part of an organization committed to the values of peaceful co-existence, justice, religious pluralism, democracy, pluralistic governance and equality of humankind. The mission of the Dallas based organization "World Muslim Congress" is indeed driven by Qur'an, Al-Hujurat, Surah 49:13: "O mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. The noblest of you, in sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Allah Knows and is Aware."

We have just launched the new Blog http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/ to address those verses in particular that seem offensive to others, but are not when read in its entirety and in its own context.

We begin the series, with the first offensive verse from Qur'aan, nay, it is not. It is sequenced as follows: the actual verse in Arabic, transliteration and translations along with 16-18 different translations for every such verse, along with my own understanding of it.

These translations are need of the day, as it will give you the room to roam within your mind about each verse. Islam is not a monolithic faith, as they say if there are three Jews, you will find five opinions, I would say, at least in the United States, for every three Muslims, you will find five or more opinions, and that is the basis for a healthy democracy and platform to express differences, a step before the step of co-existence.

Mike Ghouse

* The model of humility of the Prophet and Pluralistic Models of Prophet are being written and will be posted at www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

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1:1 In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace: [1]

Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ (1:1)
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1:2 All praise is due to God alone, the Sustainer of all the worlds, [2]

Alhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameena

الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (1:2)
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1:3 The Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace,

Alrrahmani alrraheemi

الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ (1:3)
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1:4 Lord of the Day of Judgment!

Maliki yawmi alddeeni

مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ (1:4)
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1:5 Thee alone do we worship; and unto Thee alone do we turn for aid.

Iyyaka naAAbudu waiyyaka nastaAAeenu

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ (1:5)

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1:6 Guide us the straight way.

Ihdina alssirata almustaqeema

اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ (1:6)

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1:7 The way of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings, [3] not of those who have been condemned [by Thee], nor of those who go astray! [4]

Sirata allatheena anAAamta AAalayhim ghayri almaghdoobi AAalayhim wala alddalleena

صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ (1:7)

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17 Translations below

Qur’aan – Surah Fatiha. 1:1 – 1:7

‏1:1 سورة الفاتحة بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
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Transliteration
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi

Literal: By God's Name, the Merciful, the Merciful/Most Merciful .

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Yusuf Ali
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Pickthal
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Arberry
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

Shakir
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Sarwar
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Khalifa
In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Hilali/Khan
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

H/K/Saheeh
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

Malik
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. [1]

QXP
With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness.

Maulana Ali
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Free Minds
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

Qaribullah
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful

George Sale
In the name of the most merciful God.

JM Rodwell
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Asad
In the name of God, the most gracious, The dispenser of grace:
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al-Fatihah 001:002
‏1:2 الحمد لله رب العالمين
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Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameena

Literal
The gratitude/thanks/praise to God, the creation's altogether's/(universe's) Lord.

Yusuf Ali
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;

Pickthal
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,

Arberry
Praise belongs to God, the Lord of all Being,

Shakir
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

Sarwar
All praise belongs to God, Lord of the Universe,

Khalifa
Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe.

Hilali/Khan
All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists).

H/K/Saheeh
[All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds

Malik
All praise is for Allah, the ‘Lord’ of the Worlds. [2]

QXP
All Praise is due to Allah, the Sustainer of the Worlds. (The marvels and the profound harmony in the Universe are the living witness that its Creator, Sustainer is truly worthy of all Praise).

Maulana Ali
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds,

Free Minds
Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

Qaribullah
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,

George Sale
Praise be to God, the Lord of all creatures;

JM Rodwell
PRAISE be to God, Lord of the worlds!

Asad
ALL PRAISE is due to God alone, the Sustainer of all the worlds,

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al-Fatihah 001:003
‏1:3 الرحمن الرحيم

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Transliteration
Alrrahmani alrraheemi

Literal
The merciful, the merciful/most merciful.

Yusuf Ali
Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

Pickthal
The Beneficent, the Merciful.

Arberry
the All-merciful, the All-compassionate,

Shakir
The Beneficent, the Merciful.

Sarwar
the Beneficent, the Merciful

Khalifa
Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Hilali/Khan
The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

H/K/Saheeh
The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

Malik
The Compassionate, the Merciful. [3]

QXP
He is the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness (as He showers His Bounties on all creation indiscriminately and without return).

Maulana Ali
The Beneficent, the Merciful,

Free Minds
The Almighty, the Most Merciful.

Qaribullah
the Merciful, the Most Merciful,

George Sale
the most merciful,

JM Rodwell
The compassionate, the merciful!

Asad
the Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace,

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al-Fatihah 001:004
‏1:4 مالك يوم الدين
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Transliteration
Maliki yawmi alddeeni

Literal
Owner/possessor (of) the Judgment Day/Resurrection Day .

Yusuf Ali
Master of the Day of Judgment.

Pickthal
Master of the Day of Judgment,

Arberry
the Master of the Day of Doom.

Shakir
Master of the Day of Judgment.

Sarwar
and Master of the Day of Judgment.

Khalifa
Master of the Day of Judgment.

Hilali/Khan
The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)

H/K/Saheeh
Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.

Malik
Master of the Day of Judgment. [4]

QXP
He is the Absolute Owner of the Day when all creation shall have completed their journey of existence, evolution and action to the Ultimate Just outcome. And He is the Supreme Law-Giver to humans to enable them to live by the System of Life that He has ordained. People will be ultimately judged according to how well they tried to live by His Laws.

Maulana Ali
Master of the day of Requital.

Free Minds
Possessor of the Day of Judgment.

Qaribullah
Owner of the Day of Recompense.

George Sale
the king of the day of judgement.

JM Rodwell
King on the day of reckoning!

Asad
Lord of the Day of Judgment!
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al-Fatihah 001:005
‏1:5 اياك نعبد واياك نستعين

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Transliteration
Iyyaka naAAbudu wa-iyyaka nastaAAeenu

Literal
(Only) You we worship, and (only) You we seek help from .

Yusuf Ali
Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.

Pickthal
Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help.

Arberry
Thee only we serve; to Thee alone we pray for succour.

Shakir
Thee do we serve and Thee do we beseech for help.

Sarwar
(Lord), You alone We do worship and from You alone we do seek assistance.

Khalifa
You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.

Hilali/Khan
You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).

H/K/Saheeh
It is You we worship and You we ask for help.

Malik
O’Allah! You Alone we worship and You Alone we call on for help.[5]

QXP
(Realizing these facts), we affirm to obey Your Commands only and ask You to help us as we do that.

Maulana Ali
Thee do we serve and Thee do we beseech for help.

Free Minds
You alone we serve, and You alone we seek for help.

Qaribullah
You (alone) we worship; and You (alone) we rely for help.

George Sale
Thee do we worship, and of Thee do we beg assistance.

JM Rodwell
Thee only do we worship, and to Thee do we cry for help.

Asad
Thee alone do we worship; and unto Thee alone do we turn for aid.

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al-Fatihah 001:006
‏1:6 اهدنا الصراط المستقيم
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Transliteration
Ihdina alssirata almustaqeema

Literal
Guide us (to) the way/road, the straight/direct .

Yusuf Ali
Show us the straight way,

Pickthal
Show us the straight path,

Arberry
Guide us in the straight path,

Shakir
Keep us on the right path.

Sarwar
(Lord), guide us to the right path,

Khalifa
Guide us in the right path;

Hilali/Khan
Guide us to the Straight Way

H/K/Saheeh
Guide us to the straight path

Malik
O’Allah! Guide us to The Right Way. [6]

QXP
Guide us to the Straight Path (by providing us with faculties that listen more than hear, observe more than see and analyze more than process).

Maulana Ali
Guide us on the right path,

Free Minds
Guide us to the straight path.

Qaribullah
Guide us to the Straight Path,

George Sale
Direct us in the right way,

JM Rodwell
Guide Thou us on the straight path,

Asad
Guide us the straight way -

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al-Fatihah 001:007
‏1:7 صراط الذين انعمت عليهم غير المغضوب عليهم ولاالضالين

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Transliteration
Sirata allatheena anAAamta AAalayhim ghayri almaghdoobi AAalayhim wala alddalleena

Literal
(The) way/road (of) those You blessed on them, not (those) the angered on them, and nor the misguided.

Yusuf Ali
The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.

Pickthal
The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.

Arberry
the path of those whom Thou hast blessed, not of those against whom Thou art wrathful, nor of those who are astray.

Shakir
The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed favors. Not (the path) of those upon whom Thy wrath is brought down, nor of those who go astray.

Sarwar
the path of those to whom You have granted blessings, those who are neither subject to Your anger nor have gone astray

Khalifa
the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.

Hilali/Khan
The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace , not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians).
(This is the one - The words Jews and Christians are not in Arabic text - Hilali/Khan has injected this on his own)

H/K/Saheeh
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

Malik
The Way of those whom You have favored; not of those who have earned Your wrath, or of those who have lost The Way. [7]

QXP
This has always been the Way of those whom You rewarded. And not the path of those who had to face Your Requital (for blind following and arrogance), and not the path of those who faltered and deviated from the Straight Path.

Maulana Ali
The path of those upon whom Thou has bestowed favours, Not those upon whom wrath is brought down, nor those who go astray.

Free Minds
The path of those whom You have blessed, not those who have incurred the wrath, nor the misguided.

Qaribullah
the Path of those upon whom You have favored, not those upon whom is the anger, nor the astray. (Amen please answer)

George Sale
in the way of those to whom Thou hast been gracious; not of those against whom Thou art incensed, nor of those who go astray.

JM Rodwell
The path of those to whom Thou hast been gracious;-with whom thou art not angry, and who go not astray.

Asad
the way of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings, not of those who have been condemned [by Thee], nor of those who go astray!
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The World Muslim Congress is driven by the Qur'an, Al-Hujurat, Surah 49:13: "O mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. The noblest of you, in sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Allah Knows and is Aware." Our Mission is to work for a world of co-existence through inclusiveness and participation. As a member of diverse family of faiths, our efforts will be directed towards justice and equity to attain peace for the humankind with a firm grounding in commonly held values. No one should have advantages at the cost of others. Such benefits are temporary and deleterious to lasting peace. We believe what is good for Muslims has got to be good for the world, and vice versa, to sustain it. Indeed we aspire to promote goodwill amongst people of different affiliations, regardless of their faith, gender, race, nationality, culture or any other uniqueness blessed by the creator. www.WorldMuslimCongress.com