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English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
Dawn
01/14/02 at 07:41:54
I have been reading a public library copy of the Yusuf Ali English interpretation of the Qur'an and have decided I probably need my own copy to better study it.  However, I realize that there are a number of translations into English which are available.  I have thought that perhaps I need at least two different versions -- one which attempts to copy the poetic nature of the original arabic (I guess this makes this really an interpretation?) and one which attempts to translate as directly as possible from the original, clearly at the cost of the original's poetic beauty. So, I guess I have two questions. 1. Does this approach seem reasonable as a first approach? 2. What are your recommendations for appropriate translations/interpretations? Thanks in advance! Dawn

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
Marcie
01/14/02 at 11:46:41
As salamu alaykum Dawn, To be honest when I first started looking for Korans in English I never thought about trying to find one that followed the poetic nature of the Quran in Arabic. I wanted one that I understood in English and that had good explanations. The Quran that I read now is the free one in English from Saudi Arabia.  I think that this is Yusuf Ali's translation.  I also have the pocket size version by Muhammad Muhsin Khan.  While this is nice for traveling it is not my favorite translation.  I have heard that the best translation is Muhammad Pickthall's version.  He wrote this in the beginning of the 20th century so the original version is in old English, but they have just updated it and it is supposed to be excellent. If you are interested in tafseer (interpretation)of the Quran that is very beautiful then check out Sayyid Qutb: In the Shade of the Quran.  If you could get your hands on volume 30, which is the last part of the Quran,it really is worth reading.   I hope that this helps a little insha'Allah. As salamu alaykum Marcie

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
humble_muslim
01/14/02 at 13:33:23
AA And here it is : http://www.islamworld.net/qutb/shade.html BTW Dawn, are you muslim or considering it ?
NS

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
Arsalan
01/14/02 at 14:20:44
Dawn, assuming that you're a non-Muslim, I would recommend Yusuf Ali's translation and Marmaduke Pickthall's translation.   Start with these two.  There's a good amount of commentary in Yusuf Ali''s translation.  Pickthall's is a more literal translation, but he has still maintained a more beautiful style than other English translations.  Nothing beats Yusuf Ali's style though, in my opinion. Hold off on Muhsin Khan's "The Noble Qur'an" until you become a Muslim.  It assumes a Muslim reader, and I've seen a lot of non-Muslims becoming totally confused by reading it. More detailed commentaries like Syed Qutb's (whose whole commentary has not been translated yet, only parts of it), Maududi's or Ibn Kathir's are a later step.  If you want to study the Qur'an in detail, after you have already read it a couple of times, then I would suggest Maududi's commentary.  Syed Qutb's is excellent, but unfortunately it's incomplete in the English language. And Allah knows best.

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
abc
01/14/02 at 15:55:07
Assalamu alaikum I've heard that Muhammad Asad's translation is very good. Has anyone read it? Is it better than Yusuf Ali's? And Dawn (beautiful name btw :)), I think you should follow bro Arsalan's advice and start off with Yusuf Ali's as the first step and then inshaAllah (God willing) go on to Syed Qutb etc etc. wassalamu alaikum

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
lightningatnite
01/14/02 at 16:06:50
Hi Dawn :) I would REALLY encourage you to have a look at Muhammad Asad's "The Message of the Qur'an".  He renders his interpretation from the perspective of a person who did not grow up as a Muslim, and from the mind of a westerner.  There are several new Muslims I know that find Asad's version the most readable.  Yusuf Ali, though an English scholar, did not grow up in the West.  Alot of understanding Islam is paradigm shift, learning to see the world from a different perspective.  Asad really helps with that. I personally do not prefer the Noble Qur'an.  Just a few words of advice:  the Qur'an sometimes appears confusing at first, because it makes you think, which is hard.  Its filled with questions...try to answer them as you read.  And go slowly, making sure to read the commentary as you go.  If you get a chance, check out Dr. Thomas Cleary's "The Essential Qur'an", which has a excellent introduction on how to read the Qur'an.  Its available at Barnes & Nobles for $8 in the bargain books section :)  Cleary's introduction is a must read... One last thing, Yusuf Ali's translation is available at http://www.jannah.org/qurantrans .  Dawn, have you listened to the Qur'an being recited?  Its part of the majesty and beauty of the Qur'an, and brings out the poetic nature of it moreso than in writing.  Let us know if you'd like to hear some :)

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
bhaloo
01/14/02 at 21:25:42
Hello Dawn, Here is a list of the different Quran translation ever translated into English. [url=http://members.home.net/ameer1/annota.html] English Translations of the Quran: Bibliography [/url] Personally I would recommend the Khan and Hilali translation, Yusuf Ali, and Pickthall translations, although each has some problems.  I wouldn't recommend the Muhammad Asad translation as it has some serious problems, as was mentioned in the Bibliography, namely: Muhammad Asad, The Message of The Qur'an (Gibraltar, 1980). l edn. Translated in chaste, idiomatic English by a convert from Judaism to Islam. However, it contains some serious departures from the orthodox viewpoint on a number of Qur'anic statements. Asad appears to be reluctant to accept the literal meaning of some Qur'anic verses. For example, he doubts the throwing of Ibrahim into fire, Jesus speaking in the cradle; refers to Khidr and Dhulqarnain as mythical figures and expresses unconventional views on abrogation (Naskh) theory. (For details please see Arfaque Malik's review in the Muslim World Book Review, Vol. 1, No. 1 (1980), pp. 5-7 I would recommend that you get a tafsir (explanation) of the Quran, such as the one provided by Syed Qutb, or the one that any serious student of the Quran has, Ibn Kathir's Tafsir (its in 10 volumes and costs about $150).
NS

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
Dawn
01/15/02 at 07:34:13
Thank you all for your replies so far.  And to answer humble_muslim's question, I am not a Muslim (at least not yet :)) nor am I necessarily seeking to convert (again at least not yet).  I am just a seeker of Truth, wherever she may be found. Dawn

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
Sparrow
01/15/02 at 19:20:07
Hi All, Marcie,   How did you get a free Qur'an from Saudi? Peace, Sparrow

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
Dawn
01/16/02 at 09:00:50
Sorry for the really short post yesterday.  I had meant to also include a response to the below question but my daughter woke up from her nap and started fussing right about the time I started to write, so I had to cut it short. [quote] Dawn, have you listened to the Qur'an being recited?  Its part of the majesty and beauty of the Qur'an, and brings out the poetic nature of it moreso than in writing.  Let us know if you'd like to hear some :) [/quote] I would like to hear some, but I was under the impression that one shouldn't listen to the Qur'an unless one was able to concentrate on it and contemplate it's meaning, which would be rather hard for me to do, as I don't understand Arabic.  And I didn't want to offend anyone by disrespecting what they considered sacred.  However, if I wouldn't upset anyone by listening, I think it would be quite interesting to hear someone reciting it.  Is there a webpage or something which I can go to? Thanks again! Dawn

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
Marcie
01/16/02 at 09:15:44
Hi Sparrow, About five years ago I think that the Saudi embassy was giving away free Qurans in Arabic or Arabic and English in Germany and in the States.  I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Marcie

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
lightningatnite
01/16/02 at 10:09:57
Hi Dawn :) [quote]However, if I wouldn't upset anyone by listening...[/quote] Wow, you're so nice :)  Don't worry about upsetting anyone!  We're all here to learn from each other.  You definitely will not be upsetting anyone by listening to the Qur'an.  In fact, perhaps the greatest of the Quran's miracles was its incapacitating nature, whose beauty and aura of Divine majesty humbled the great Arabian poets of the Prophet's time.  The harmony and elequence of its language is inimitable, and fills the heart with peace, and humility before God.  Muslims often cry when hearing the Qur'an recited, especially during the prayers.  But this crying is not a negative thing, its a beautiful experience that brings life to the heart.  Like the poet said, "When the clouds weep, the orchard smiles."  Likewise, our tears bring life to the garden within.  With time, life returns to our hearts, and a deep inner closeness and happiness fills our spirits. But it is important to bring a humble, open heart to the Quran, and pray sincerely for guidance.  The Qur'an will read you if you allow it to, by opening your heart to its Light. To start, I would suggest you listen to the first Chapter, called The Opener(al-fatiha), and reading along with the meaning.  Its pretty short: http://jannah.org/qurantrans/quran1.html Click the round button in the lower part of the page, towards the middle, and try to follow along with the meaning.  I know, I know, you don't know Arabic! :)  Just try your best... :) Also, this page has some beautiful recitations: http://www.islaam.com/Reciters.asp I like the recitations of Ash-Shaatiri and Al-Ifasi. By the way, playing some Qur'an is a good way to lull your daughter to sleep ;) :)

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
humble_muslim
01/16/02 at 15:59:13
AA If you were to read the Quran, IMHO start with Chapters 55 and 56.
NS

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
Rashid
01/16/02 at 17:13:40
[slm] [quote]How did you get a free Qur'an from Saudi?[/quote] [url]www.alharamain.org[/url] [url]www.saudiembassy.net[/url] Note: they will send you the Muhammad Muhsin Khan edition, which in my opinion is excellent as it contains tafsir and hadith.  However, I would reccomend the Pickthall edition because the Khan edition is very detailed in its commentary and it's easy to get lost if you don't concentrate.  In my opinion the Pickthall edition is easier to read because it is written in contemporary english, as opposed to the Yusuf Ali one which uses "biblical" english.  Also, stay away from translations entitled "The Koran"  most of these are written by orientalist authors.   [wlm]

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
Haniff
01/17/02 at 00:17:02
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh For a free electronic version of the Qur'an with Pikthall's translation, please visit: [url]http://www.islamasoft.co.uk/downloads.html[/url] Haniff (with 2 f's)

Re: English translations/interpretations of the Qur'an
bhaloo
01/17/02 at 23:47:37
slm This another site with Quranic audio. [url]http://www.qiraah.com/ [/url]
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