To followers of Islam, the Qur'an is the literal word of God, revealed through Muhammed, the last of the line of prophets. It is the expression of the will of God and contains all that is necessary to lead a life of righteousness. This message is expressed in the Arabic language with such formidable force that over the last fourteen centuries it has been revered by Muslims all over the world. Islam has a billion followers in forty-eight countries and has become a significant force in the world today; a better understanding of the Qur'an will explain why. Approved by Al-Azhar University, this comprehensive and accurate rendering of the Qur'an into modern English will introduce this supremely important book to a much wider audience than ever before. The clear, rigorous translation is laid out here next to the Arabic text to allow the reader to make careful comparisons. In this way, this volume aims to make the Qur'an accessible, often for the first time, to students, teachers of religious studies, non-Arab Muslims and all who are interested in Islam.