The Qur'an: Explained Support the projectSupport

In His name, the Most High

The Qur'an:
Explained

An accessible one-volume commentary on the whole Qur'an, based on the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ and his Household (a.s.).

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The Qur'an: Explained — book cover

The challenge we're addressing

English-speaking Shi'a Muslims lack a comprehensive, accessible commentary on the Qur'an rooted in the teachings of the Ahlulbayt. The gap is quiet, generational, and growing.

No comprehensive tafsir in English

No single-volume commentary based on Ahlulbayt's teachings currently exists in accessible English.

200,000+ UK Shi'a Muslims underserved

Millions more globally lack resources reflecting their theological perspective and scholarly tradition.

Educational institutions rely on patchwork materials

Teachers and seminaries assemble resources from fragmented and often inconsistent sources.

A generational disconnect

Young English-speaking Shi'a Muslims are increasingly cut off from reliable, accessible scholarship.

A spiritual need, urgent and real

Exposed to competing ideologies, youth need the intellectual tools to anchor and defend their faith.

One page of Qur'an.
One page of commentary.

A unique dual-page design, structured so readers can read the Arabic and its commentary in direct tandem — clear, paced, and always in context.

Sample pages — Sūrat al-Baqara  ·  click to enlarge

Clear, readable Arabic script

Each page equals one page of the Mushaf, preserving the rhythm of the text.

Refined English translation

Based on a modified Ali Quli Qara'i translation, chosen for fidelity and readability.

Deeper reflections from authoritative Shi'i tafsirs

Commentary synthesised from more than thirty classical and contemporary sources.

Every claim footnoted to primary sources

Readers can trace any reflection back to its source and conduct further study.

Where we are right now

More than half the Qur'an already translated. Editing, typesetting, and community outreach all proceed in parallel — not sequentially — so the manuscript and its audience arrive together.

327 / 604 pages translated

Last updated: 20 May 2026

Phase 1 timeline

  1. TranslationApr – Sep 2026
  2. EditingJun – Oct 2026
  3. TypesettingSep – Nov 2026
  4. Marketing & promotionAug 2026 – Jan 2027
  5. LaunchJanuary 2027

£31,479 raised of £60,000  ·  52%

£28,521 still needed to fully fund the project.

A three-phase vision

The commentary is Phase 1 — and the foundation for a lasting digital ecosystem around the Qur'an.

Your support today funds Phase 1; phases 2 and 3 grow from it.

Funding now

Phase 1 — The Qur'an: Explained

A complete one-volume commentary with its unique dual-page layout, published in print and digital, with a website and mailing list for community engagement.

Planned

Phase 2 — Daily Qur'an Challenge

A guided daily micro-learning experience: each day's page in Arabic recitation paired with English audio translation, plus short audio explanatory notes.

Planned

Phase 3 — Quraniverse App

A complete learning platform — listen to recitation and audio translation, read Arabic with a pronunciation guide, and open explanatory notes in text and audio. Infinitely expandable.

The team and its scholarly foundation

Principal translator

Alexander Khaleeli — Hawza graduate with more than fifteen years of experience in Islamic translation and publishing; currently pursuing PhD studies at the University of Exeter.

Supported by a team of translators and editors with years of experience in translation, research, and publication.

Drawn from 30+ Shi'i tafsirs — including

  • Tafsir al-MizanAllamah Tabataba'i
  • Tafsir NimunehAyatullah Makarem Shirazi
  • Tafsir Ala' al-RahmanAyatullah Jawad al-Balaghi
  • Tafsir al-TasnimAyatullah Jawadi Amoli
  • Manshur-i JavidAyatullah Ja'far Sobhani
  • Majma' al-BayanShaykh al-Tabrisi
  • Tafsir al-SafiFayd Kashani
  • Tafsir Nur al-ThaqalaynShaykh al-Huwayzi
  • Tafsir al-BurhanSayyid Hashim al-Bahrani
  • Atyab al-BayanSayyid 'Abd al-Husayn Tayyib

Publication team

Translators, editors, and typesetters.

Technical team

Experts in app development, data architecture, and digital marketing.

Subject-matter experts

Scholars, public speakers, and community influencers.

Why support this project?

Sadaqa Jariya

Ongoing, continuous benefit — the most durable form of giving.

First of its kind

Filling a genuine, identified gap in English-language scholarship.

A digital ecosystem

More than a book — the foundation for a growing platform of daily engagement with the Qur'an.

An experienced team

A proven track record of delivery in Islamic translation and publishing.

Sustainability

All revenue reinvested into free distribution and widening access.

How to support

Donations are routed through our registered partner charity, Compassion for Humanity.

Questions about the project or your donation? Email [email protected]

Compassion for Humanity  ·  UK Registered Charity No. 1194528  ·  Donations are Gift Aid eligible and tax-deductible for businesses.