Poems and Songs of Vladimir Vysotsky. The Criminal Code.

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Commentary to the song “The Criminal Code”.

In this song, the Book of Criminal Code symbolizes the Holy Qur’an.

The surah “The Cattle” (ayah 155) says, “And this is a blessed Book [the Qur’an] which We have sent down, so follow it and fear Allah, that ye may receive mercy.”

Here come to mind Alexander Pushkin’s words from his “Imitations of the Koran” (1824) (this text is adapted from Ants Oras’ translation):

Pray to the Mighty, the Creator; He rules the winds; He guides the rains To thirsty lands — no might is greater; He gives the forests’ shade to plains. His mind is merciful: we owe Him The Bright Koran’s ungrudging gift, Oh may we see its light to know Him And may the mist that blinds us lift.

And there is Gabdulla Tukay’s poem about the Holy Qur’an, which is called “The Book” (1909).

The presented text is adapted from George Tokarev’s translation.

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