The words in the text in regular brackets ( ) and in between the long dashes—are the words of the author and if any explanatory words or phrases are added by the translator for the purpose of clarification, they have been placed in square brackets [ ].
The name of Muhammad(sa), the Holy Prophet of Islam, has been followed by the abbreviation (sa), which is an abbreviation for the salutation Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The names of other prophets and messengers are followed by the abbreviation (as), an abbreviation for ‘Alaihis-Salam (on whom be peace). The actual salutations have not generally been set out in full, but they should nevertheless be understood as being repeated in full in each case. The abbreviation (ra) is used with the names of the companions of the Holy Prophet(sa) and those of the Promised Messiah(as). It stands for Radi Allahu ‘anhu, ‘anha, ‘anhum (may Allah be pleased with him, with her, with them). The abbreviation (rh) stands for Rahimahullahu Ta‘ala (may Allah have mercy on him). The abbreviation (at) stands for Ayyadahullahu Ta‘ala (may Allah, the Mighty help him).
All English renditions of the verses of the Holy Qur’an have been taken from the 2004 edition of Maulawi Sher Ali’s translation.