The Quran

Preface

رَسولًا يَتلو عَلَيكُم آياتِ اللَّهِ مُبَيِّناتٍ لِيُخرِجَ الَّذينَ آمَنوا وَعَمِلُوا الصّالِحاتِ مِنَ الظُّلُماتِ إِلَى النّورِ ۚ وَمَن يُؤمِن بِاللَّهِ وَيَعمَل صالِحًا يُدخِلهُ جَنّاتٍ تَجري مِن تَحتِهَا الأَنهارُ خالِدينَ فيها أَبَدًا ۖ قَد أَحسَنَ اللَّهُ لَهُ رِزقًا

Yusuf Ali

An Messenger, who rehearses to you the Signs of God containing clear explanations, that he may lead forth those who believe and do righteous deeds from the depths of Darkness¹ into Light. And those who believe in God and work righteousness, He will admit to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: God has indeed granted for them a most excellent Provision.

Cf. 24:40: the unbelievers’ state is “like the depths of darkness in a vast deep ocean, overwhelmed with billow topped by billow, topped by dark clouds; depths of darkness, one above another.” Cf. 2:257: “God is the Protector of those who have Faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light.”