Quran Garden - The Holy Quran Explained in Clear English (English Tafsir)

Rich people must have done something good; that is why God honored them with wealth. Poor people must have done something terrible; that is why God humiliated them with poverty. God answers both these claims with a single word! Learn the special answer in this week's update.

What is your position in the universe? Where do you stand in life? What is your rank among creation? If you know the answer to these questions, you can plan your life better. Learn the answer and much more in this week's session.

God says: “..whoever changes God’s blessing after it has come to him: surely God is severe in retribution. “ (from 2:211) God is warning you of punishment if you change His blessings. But, how do you change God's blessings? Find the answer and much more in this week's session. QuranGarden on the go? Download the QuranGarden App.

Put your phone down, cancel your plans for the next half-hour and listen to this week's English Quran tafsir update! It is that important! Share this important message with your family & friends.

Some critics of Islam have asked: is there no one other companion than Omar? Why do you keep referring to him? Find the answer and much more in this week's update.

We always commit sin, and we often blame the devil. But is it really the devil to blame or is it you?! How can you distinguish between the sins that Satan adorns to you from the sins that are adorned by your own self desires? Find the answer and much more in this week's update.

five pillars. An engineer once challenged me and said: "We can build a sturdy structure on two, three or four foundation pillars. We do not need five pillars to build a strong structure." Listen to the answer and much more in this week's update.

If you are upright, honest, and sincere, you often get hurt by others. A common adage says: "No good deed goes unpunished." How can you avoid that without compromising your values? Find the answer and much more in this week's update.

Peace & Harmony with the Universe sounds like a very big claim, but it can be done! Find the answer and the way to do it in this week's update!

Can you buy or sell yourself? Listen to stories from the Prophet's companions to give you the answer. Learn more in this week's update.

There are two types of pride that are clearly explained in the Quran? Do you know the different types of pride? Learn the answer and much more in this week's update.

God says: And from among the people are those whose words about worldly life pleases you, and he cites God as witness to what is in his heart. Yet he is the fiercest of opponents. And when he turns his back, he strives about the earth to foment disorder and corruption; destroying crops and future generations. God does not like corruption. (Chapter 2: Verses 204, 205)

Hypocrites! God says: And from among the people are those whose words about worldly life pleases you, and he cites God as witness to what is in his heart. Yet he is the fiercest of opponents. And when he turns his back, he strives about the earth to foment disorder and corruption; destroying crops and future generations. God does not like corruption. (Chapter 2: Verses 204, 205) Learn more in this week's update.

God says: “Be” & it becomes. Some people have a hard time understanding how Allah -the All Capable- requires no time and no effort to create, give, and sustain. Learn more in this week's session.

Islam discourages you from taking pride in your lineage; rather pride of a believer should stem from within; more specifically from the good deeds he or she does to serve others. Learn more in this week's session.

Do you know the difference between the Arabic words 'Rizq' and 'Fadl'? The answer is the key for how you can make money during your Hajj trip. Learn more in this week's Quran Tafsir update.

Have you wondered why 'Arafa' or 'Arafat' was named so? Find the answers and much more in this week's update.

God says: The Hajj pilgrimage takes place during the well-known months. So whoever undertakes the duty of Hajj in them, there should be no indecency, mischief, or quarreling during the pilgrimage- whatever good you do, God is well aware of it. Provide well for yourselves: the best provision is to be mindful of God- always be mindful of Me, you who have understanding- (Chapter 2: Verse 197) Learn more about this verse in this week's update.

Prophet Muhammad –peace be upon him- said: “Those of you who properly perform the Hajj pilgrimage without committing indecent acts or mischief will be cleared of their sins as if they were born today.” How do you prepare for Hajj and earn this great reward? Learn the answer and much more in this week's session.

Why are the Muslim nations disrespected, bullied, and looked down upon all over the world today? Find the answer and much more in this week's update

God says: ‘Fight them until there is no more persecution, and worship is devoted to God’ giving the believers a clear mission -not for worldly or material gain- but to give all humanity the chance to be free of persecution and tyranny; an opportunity to follow their creator not their equal; and an opportunity to be truly free from all forms of subjugation and imposed beliefs.

Why didn’t the Muslims fight their enemies from the first day and go after the leaders of disbelief in Mecca who were persecuting and torturing them? Why was fighting not legislated for over 13 years of Islam? Find the answers and much more in this week's update.

Sadly, there have been many charges against Islam regarding the issues of fighting and war. Let’s consider the two most common accusations: first, it has been said that Islam was spread by the sword. Second: Islam has been criticized for imposing taxes –called Jezia-on the nonbelievers under its rule. Find the answer to these accusations and so much more in this week's update.

We have adopted the moon phases for measuring time and predicting tides. We have utilized some of the sun’s energy for our use, and we benefit from our knowledge of the seasons for agriculture. We have ancient knowledge of the positions of some stars –such as the North Star- and we use it for navigation. Perhaps in the future, and when the scientific minds are busy in exploration and research, God will reveal to us some of the secrets of the stars so we can gain more modern benefits from them. He says: I swear by the positions of the stars- a mighty oath, if you only knew-(56:75-76) Learn more in this week's update.

Prophet Muhammad’s companions asked many questions. They questioned each and every practice that was common at the time, because they wanted to move from ignorance into deeds that were fair and that brought them closer to Allah. Learn more in this week’s update.

Corruption! Learn how the rich and governments collude to cause corruption and the loss of resources and life.

Money and labor are the wealth of societies. The money I have today will pass to another person through trade. What laws govern this circulation of wealth? Find the answers in this week's update.

Learn how to earn the great rewards of a spiritual retreat (I'tikaf) each time you step into a mosque.

Do you often pray and ask God for something only to have your prayers go unanswered? Why? Find the answer and much more in this week's update.

How do you get closer to God? Is there a secret? Yes, there is! Learn this secret and much more in this week's update.

God says that ‘the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind.’ Learn more about guidance, and why we as humans do a poor job mapping our way through life. Take a moment to listen and to share with your family & friends.

Why wasn't the Quran revealed as one complete book?There are those who criticize the Quran and question: how do you say that Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan, while you also say that it was revealed little by little over the twenty-three years of Muhammad’s Prophethood? Find the answer and much more in this week's update.

The history of fasting Ramadan. Fasting, just like many other religious obligations, was introduced gradually. Learn more in this week's update.

Should you fast Ramadan during Travel? There are some who argue that travel in our time is totally different from those in the olden days: We have cars, planes, and comfortable hotel accommodations. Shouldn't we, then, be able to fast while traveling? Find the answer and much more in this week's update.

You often hear a person who just came back from the Hajj pilgrimage say: ‘When I was in Mecca and Medina I felt the sweetness of faith; I experienced great peace and comfort in my heart. It was like I had forgotten the entire world around me.’ Are these praises, feelings and experiences exclusive to the holy places and cannot be experienced anywhere else? Or are these places supposed to serve as an example of what you can experience anywhere you choose? Find the answer and much more in this week’s update.

Give good advice. Prophet Muhammad –peace be upon him said-: "The example of the persons abiding by God's orders and restrictions in comparison to those who violate them is like the example of passengers who drew lots for their seats in a boat. Some of them got seats in the upper deck while the others sat in the lower. When the lower deck passengers needed water, they had to go up to bring water and that troubled them, so they said: 'Let us make a hole in our share of the ship to get water and save ourselves and those above us from all this trouble’. If the people in the upper deck left the others to do as they wish, then all would drown, but if they prevent them, all would be safe." Learn more about giving good advice in this week’s update.

Religious Obligations & Love. Are Religious Obligations a burden? or are they an act of love? We see God’s teachings and legislation as an act of love; and we see submission to the will of God as a way of reciprocating this love. Learn more in this week's update.

Death penalty in Islam. There is much discussion about the death penalty. Is it fair, cruel, or ever necessary? The Quran gives you the true purpose of punishment laws. Learn more in this week’s update.

Brotherhood in faith. God says: The believers are brothers, so make peace and reconciliation between your brothers and be mindful of God, so that you may be given mercy. (49:10) Learn more about the strength of the bond of brotherhood in Islam in this week's update.

Murder and revenge. What does Islam teach us about revenge, murder and the death penalty? How do the bible, Torah and Quran differ in dealing with the issue of murder? Learn the answers and much more in this week’s update.

The master key of faith. Do you know the master key to faith? Do you know the one action that can help you pray better, give more to charity, and be a better Muslim? God gives you the key to faith in verse 177. In fact, the entire grammar of the verse is changed to highlight this key. Find out the master key to faith in this week's update, and share it with your family & friends.

Money you love to people you love. To whom should you give charity? Allah wants you to give from the money that you love to the people that you love. Take care of those around you. Learn more in this week's update.

The Road of Righteousness. Let’s walk down the road of righteousness together. Allah explains that righteousness is not limited to belief; rather it has to translate into day to day actions and behaviors. Learn more in this week's update.

Crime and punishment. Many people feel bad for the criminal who is about to suffer. They focus on the severity of the punishment while forgetting how terrible the crime was. Allah teaches us to always recall what those who spread corruption on earth did. Learn more in this week's update.

Concealing God's Scriptures. God says: As for those who conceal from the Scripture that God sent down and sell it for a small price, they eat nothing but fire in their bellies. God will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them: an agonizing torment awaits them. (Chapter 2:Verse 174) Learn more about this verse and much more in this week's update.