This Volume V contains fresh English translations of surahs 16 through 19 ("The Bee", "The Night Journey," "The Cave," and "Mary"). These surahs reveal moments of inspiration received by some of the smallest but most beneficial creatures, bees, as well as human beings; we meet moments with a number of Prophets of God, including beloved Maryam, whose devoted heart in utmost purity was exemplary in receptivity. The stories of all these sensitive beings bring into greater awareness the possibility implanted within the heart of the human being to listen and respond to the compassionate guidance continually arriving from Divine Reality.
Interspersed within the translation are transliterations of key terms and verses, so that the reader may have a sense of the flowing beauty of the Qur'anic language. And an Appendix of the Ninety-Nine Names of God, the Asma al-Husna ("Most Beautiful Names") which are remembered through the verses of the Qur'an, is also included.
Volume V is the central volume in this series of eleven volumes, God willing, which together are intended to hold the complete one hundred and fourteen surahs of the Holy Qur'an. (Volume I and Volume XI are also currently available.) The translation is rendered with gender-inclusive language in alignment with the underlying understanding of the Qur'anic revelation that "Allah" (Divine Reality) is unlimited, far beyond anything by which we might attempt to describe It, and that all of creation is held and nurtured by the Beneficent Womb of Reality (ar-Rahman, ar-Rahim).
We offer this translation to support the increased opening of our awareness to all the Compassionate Generosity and Loving Guidance of the Divine Bestowal-that Love that is always communicating with us, which we simply need to open our hearts to hear, and our eyes to see, and through which our hearts might be deeply nourished, with the blessing of that abundant Grace.