I'm not a Muslim, but I am interested in learning and possibly converting to Islam. Obviously, the important precursor to this is understanding at least the basic tenets of Islam. I've found English translations of the Quran, but have been unable to find a site that explains what the Quran means. I guess what I'm looking for is an explanation of the words. One can take them literally I suppose, but I'm guessing there is a deeper meaning which I'm failing to see.

Thanks to anyone who read this, whether you can offer help or not.

QuietNight

Assalam Alaikum
I'm not sure I understood you, 'if not then sorry, English isn't my mother language'
but from what I take, you're looking for a thorough explanation and not a mere translation word by word, am I right?
This is one of the most famous explanations of Quran:
http://www.qtafsir.com/

Hi QuietNight, and welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure if I've understood your question correctly. I hope I have, but let me know if not.

With regards to deeper or hidden meanings of verses:

Amongst the verses of the Qur'an, mainly clear, are a few allegorical verses. It is obvious that no way of life can be prescribed for human beings unless a certain amount of knowledge explaining the truth about the universe, about its origin and end, and other matters of similar importance, is intimated to them. It is also evident that the truths which lie beyond the range of human perception have always eluded and will continue to elude us; no words exist in the human vocabulary which either express or portray them. In speaking about such things, we necessarily resort to words and expressions generally employed in connection with tangible objects. In the Qur'an, too, this kind of language is employed in relation to supernatural matters; the verses which have been characterized as 'allegorical' refer to such matters.

Also certain verses were revealed in the context of events happening at that time. Their ruling still applies if such events were to take place again, but it's important not to take the verses in isolation outside of those events and draw wrong conclusions from them. As the Qur'an is composed entirely of the words of God, thus instructions given by God pertaining to events at that time are in the book. There was no "editing".

So generally there isn't any kind of hidden, deeper meaning other than what you're reading.

I'm guessing you want to read a commentary?

One translation that seems to be recommended by many (not especially if reading for the first time, but just generally) is the translation by Saheeh International. The translation is done by three women, interestingly all reverts to Islam. The online version is here, but has no commentary I think:

http://home.exetel.com.au/rakib/down...a_Alislami.pdf

One that I like with a brief commentary and modern, flowing English, is Towards Understanding the Qur'an, by S. A Mawdudi (originally in Urdu), abridged into one volume, translated into English and edited by Zafar Ishaq Ansari, published by The Islamic Foundation. I can't find an abridged online version, but the full version is available online (though its very long..in paper its six volumes!) I find the shorter version (not online) has better English though.

The link to the full unabridged version is here:

http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php

The introduction itself is very good. The link to the introduction is here:

http://www.iiu.edu.my/deed/quran/understand.html"]http://www.iiu.edu.my/deed/quran/understand.html"]http://www.iiu.edu.my/deed/quran/understand.html

There are also very good explanatory introductions for each chapter, if you navigate your way around the site.

The translation of the Qur'an by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, although generally it uses thee and thou, has very good the introductions to each chapter . The online versions don't seem to have the chapter introductions though.

Hope it's of some help.

Assalamolikum i m muslim i think quran helps people of all world how to spend life.A man can be a modle for others if he follow teaching of Quran.

Alhamdulillah and congratulation for Allah has given you Hidayah to learn more about Islam.

May Allah give us peace and guide us all to the right path Ameen