Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Asalam alaikoum

Dear brother Burhan,

I have a  question regarding(sura naziaat) chapter 79 verse 30. The translation that i have read say "There after We spread the earth......". However, i was listening to one of the scholars, Dr. Zakir Naik, and he said that the correct translation of this verse is "Thereafter we made the earth like egg shape". Dr. Zakir Naik further says that the word "Duha haa" means an egg of an ostrich. Is this the correct translation of Dr. Zakir Naik?, as I have gone through 3 different translations both in Engliah and Urdu and havnt found the translation saying "EGG". If this is the correct translation then which Arabic dictionary should be used by us Muslims in order to better understand The Holy Quran. Also would you please recommend an appropriate translation of Quran in Urdu so that one can further understand the message of Quran.(I fully understand that no translation can be perfect,

Otherwise we will have 2,3 or more Qurans, thats why I have asked for an appropriate translation) Your Muslim brother and enemy of all those Muslims who use a sectarian name to differentiate themselves. May Allah give us the knowledge to better understand the Holy Quran and follow the righteous path and become a better Muslim and not a better sectarian muslim. Ameen.

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Answer:

Meaning of the word Duha haa

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The word or term ‘Duha haa’ has many meanings, depending on the context used:

to spread out something

the growth and the hanging of the stomach

the eggs that a bird hides in the sand (not necessarily the ostrich bird)

to call or guide the camel

The term ‘Duha haa’ is very comprehensive in its connotation; and in our humble opinion, as used in the particular context of the aayah it would mean ‘to spread out’. We have tremendous respect for the works and the knowledge of Brother Dr. Zakir Naik, and he might have taken the other meaning of the bird and the way it hides its egg to understand the aayah.

The meanings we have taken is from the Arabic Dictionary called Tarteeb-ul-Kamus-ul-Muheet Volume II page 158, in case you need to further refer to the dictionary.

Your request: Also would you please recommend an appropriate translation of Quran in Urdu so that one can further understand the message of Quran.

Brother, we must understand the difference between a translation and the Holy Quran itself. There might be any number of translations, but the Glorious Quran will remain the Glorious Quran, as revealed in the original Arabic language.

There are many eminent scholars who have translated the Holy Quran into the Urdu language for the benefit of the believers who do not understand the Arabic language (May Allah accept their deeds and honor and reward them generously). In our opinion, the best works amongst them are:

Tahfeemul-Quran by Brother Syed Abul Aaala Maududi

Tarjuman-al-Quran by Brother Abul Qalaam Azaad

Tarjuma Quran by Brother Fateh Mohamed Jalandari

Your Statement: Your Muslim brother and enemy of all those Muslims who use a sectarian name to differentiate themselves. May Allah give us the knowledge to better understand the Holy Quran and follow the righteous path and become a better Muslim and not a better sectarian muslim.

We absolutely agree with you that all of the believers should be honored to be recognized by the name Allah Subhanah has Himself chosen for the believers; that is, ‘muslims’. But brother, rather than being their enemies, it would be better if we felt sincere good for them and tried to invite all of them to become muslims rather than the sectarian names that they have chosen for themselves.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 22 Surah Hajj verse 77-78:O you who have believed, do ‘rukooh’ (bow down) and do ‘sajdah’ (prostration), and worship your Lord Allah Alone, and do righteous deeds: it may be that you attain true success! Exert your utmost for the cause of Allah, as one should. He has chosen you for His service, and has not laid on you any hardship in your religion. Therefore, be steadfast in the religion of your father Abraham. Allah had named you ‘muslims’ before this, and has named you (muslims) in this Quran also, so that the Messenger may be a witness in regard to you, and you may be witnesses in regard to the rest of mankind.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan