Qur'an: The most reliable translation

[gnostic]

Which (English) translation of the Qur'an is considered to be most reliable?

Reliable as being, easy to read and understand, and capturing the meaning of original context of the classical Arabic text.

The only language I know how to read, is English, so I'd preferred English translation, instead of taking time that I don't have, in learning (classical) Arabic.

I can read or recognize names (and fewer words) from Greek alphabets or Egyptian hieroglyphs, and that's about the extent of my linguistic skills.

I'd prefer not to struggle to understand what I read. Even if I take the time to learn Arabic, I may not understand what it mean, so the easiest thing for me to do is find a good reliable translation.

 

[MFaraz_Hayat]

I always use this website and the translations here.
www.al-islam.org/quran/
Anyways, it is true that few errors may be present in Translations due to wrong word choice etc.

 

[menj]

There isn't one single "reliable" translation, as each translator would translate the Qur'an according to his own bias/interpretation of the Qur'an and Islam that he was brought up with or taught to. This is due to the grammatical and semantics of the Arabic language, where one word can have several different meanings. The most popular translation used widely is A. Yusuf Ali, but its not always the best.

The best option is to have several translations of the Qur'an and compare them side-by-side to get the message of the verse that is being relayed.

 

[Shahzad]

Go here:

CRCC: Center For Muslim-Jewish Engagement: Resources: Religious Texts

That has translations of Yusuf Ali, Pickthall and Shakir side by side for comparison.

 

[Green Kepi]

Why is the claim made that only the original Arabic version of the Koran is Allah’s inspired true word and English versions cannot give you the true meaning of the Koran?

This makes discussion almost non-existent. You see if I must be able to read Arabic to know the true Koran, then when English speaking Christians point out various things in the Koran that Muslims don’t like, the reply usually is, "you can’t even read the original".

I find it frustrating, that every version of the Koran (at least 20 of them) has a different numbering system. Looking up a verse in the Koran is like buying a pair of pants in Walmart where size 34 is never size 34. I can imagine what a problem it would cause for me to quote a single Bible passage and the people the pews turn to 5 different passages.

 

[Doodlebug02]

I don't know which translation of the Quran is considered to be the most reliable but I have a translation of the Quran by Yusuf Ali and it seems to be a pretty good one. I just don't particularly like the archaic language in it. All the thees and thous are rather annoying.

That said, the Shaheeh International Translation is supposed to be a good translation in contemporary English.

 

[Fatihah]

Why is the claim made that only the original Arabic version of the Koran is Allah’s inspired true word and English versions cannot give you the true meaning of the Koran?

This makes discussion almost non-existent. You see if I must be able to read Arabic to know the true Koran, then when English speaking Christians point out various things in the Koran that Muslims don’t like, the reply usually is, "you can’t even read the original".

I find it frustrating, that every version of the Koran (at least 20 of them) has a different numbering system. Looking up a verse in the Koran is like buying a pair of pants in Walmart where size 34 is never size 34. I can imagine what a problem it would cause for me to quote a single Bible passage and the people the pews turn to 5 different passages.

Response: The reason why muslims say that the best way to know the qur'an is by knowing arabic is because many non-muslims will play with the english translation to show error in the qur'an. Just like english, many arabic words have different meanings. Yet the non-muslim will try to utilize the different meanings of the english translation to prove a point. That leaves a muslim to reduce their argument to telling the person to learn arabic, in order to get the correct translation.

 

[Green Kepi]

[FONT=&quot]You have to admit…we ‘religious’ people…are so mixed-up/screwed-up no matter what we call ourselves or believe. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Many Muslims are just as divided and mixed up with their religion as Christians are. Many different types of Muslims claim to be true Muslims. As many different types of Christians claim to be true Christians. The only group going to Heaven…[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]You know what? We’re all people. That’s our problem as a people. The fundamentalist Muslims are just as crazy as fundamentalist Christians, they issue religious proclamations, or fatwa’s, against secular and moderate Muslims. Meanwhile moderates of various congregations claim that the fundamentalists have "hijacked Islam.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We Christians end up like differencing sides at the ‘Super Bowl’…each side waving their flags and they saying are the only saved…while the other…boos the other team. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I believe…if we are not careful…none of us are going to make it there…Muslim or Christian…. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

 

[Snowber]

gnostic,

You may be interested in this, you can search any part of the Quran and it shows you six different translations:

Unfortunately as a new member I cannot post external URLS. If you do a google search for "WebQT", though, it should be the first result.

As for the point made that the Koran must be read in Arabic I have to disagree. Though many traditional Muslims (please correct me if this is wrong) do believe you must know Arabic, and you will find many converts trying to learn Arabic (and many do) hastily so they can find the "true meaning".

In fact the Quran gives an example of language being irrelevant:

[41:44] If we made it a non-Arabic Quran they would have said, "Why did it come down in that language?" Whether it is Arabic or non-Arabic, say, "For those who believe, it is a guide and healing. As for those who disbelieve, they will be deaf and blind to it, as if they are being addressed from faraway."

[5:48] Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD's revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny - all of you - then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.

We learn from the above verse that revelations to different communities are, in fact, a test for the human being. "He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you"

In fact, there is no preference for Arabs in the Koran. Also there are examples of the Arabs (desert Arabs??) transgressing.

Peace everyone

 

[kejos]

“Soon will We show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and
in their own souls, until
it becomes manifest to them
that this is the Truth
is it not enough that
Thy Lord doth witness
all things?”
​

[Al-Qur’an 41:53]

Can that be translated so that it doesn't sound like a plagiarism of the Old Testament?

 

[Snowber]

“Soon will We show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and
in their own souls, until
it becomes manifest to them
that this is the Truth
is it not enough that
Thy Lord doth witness
all things?”
​

[Al-Qur’an 41:53]

Can that be translated so that it doesn't sound like a plagiarism of the Old Testament?

Here you can find 6 different translations all at once, peace:
WebQT

 

[Snowber]

Here you can find 6 different translations all at once, peace:
WebQT

Here they are:

Khalifa
We will show them our proofs in the horizons, and within themselves, until they realize that this is the truth. Is your Lord not sufficient as a witness of all things?

Yusuf Ali
Soon will We show them our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?

Pickthal
We shall show them Our portents on the horizons and within themselves until it will be manifest unto them that it is the Truth. Doth not thy Lord suffice, since He is Witness over all things ?

Shakir
We will soon show them Our signs in the Universe and in their own souls, until it will become quite clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not sufficient as regards your Lord that He is a witness over all things?

Sher Ali
Soon WE will show them Our Signs in farthest regions of the earth and among their own people until it becomes manifest to them that it is the truth. It is not enough that thy Lord is Witness over all things ?

"Progressive Muslims"
We will show them Our signs in the horizons, and within themselves, until it becomes clear to them that this is the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is witness over all things?

 

[DeitySlayer]

Response: The reason why muslims say that the best way to know the qur'an is by knowing arabic is because many non-muslims will play with the english translation to show error in the qur'an. Just like english, many arabic words have different meanings. Yet the non-muslim will try to utilize the different meanings of the english translation to prove a point. That leaves a muslim to reduce their argument to telling the person to learn arabic, in order to get the correct translation.

What would you say if I told you that Muslim scholars needed to learn Greek and Aramic to criticize the Bible? I seriously doubt you would accept that as a valid refutation of, e.g. Zakir Naik's, argument's against Christianity.

 

[kejos]

Here you can find 6 different translations all at once, peace:
WebQT

But what I wanted is one that does not sound like a recyled OT. Oh, well.

 

[YmirGF]

Here you can find 6 different translations all at once, peace:
WebQT

I like this one better. More is better, right?

Islam Awakened - Compare 16 translations, line by line. -=> LinkyPoo

And... while you are at it, don't forget to check the various tafsir's, so you see how some scholars interpret given passages. Al-tafsir.com

 

[kejos]

I like this one better. More is better, right?

The idea is to find the most reliable, is it not?

 

[Snowber]

But what I wanted is one that does not sound like a recyled OT. Oh, well.

Old Testament(Torah), New Testament(Gospel), Final Testament (Qu'ran), it is all from GOD, the ONE, Most Gracious. I thought you just didn't like the "thy's" and "thou's", so I'm not sure what you're asking for here. People have asked for ladders to the sky in the past, are we more than human beings?

I like this one better. More is better, right?

Islam Awakened - Compare 16 translations, line by line. -=> LinkyPoo

And... while you are at it, don't forget to check the various tafsir's, so you see how some scholars interpret given passages. Al-tafsir.com

Thanks for the link, nice to have more interpretations. It's good to study them and see how certain Muslim scholars will translate a verse, though similar, in an effort to make it sound like something it's not. I find Rashad Khalifa's most reliable.

Contrary to what they say, knowing arabic is not necessary to read the Qu'ran or be a Submitter (Muslim). Submitters (Islam) was in existence since the time of Abraham since he is the first one that coined the term.

[22:78] You shall strive for the cause of GOD as you should strive for His cause. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in practicing your religion - the religion of your father Abraham. He is the one who named you "Submitters" originally. Thus, the messenger shall serve as a witness among you, and you shall serve as witnesses among the people. Therefore, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and hold fast to GOD; He is your Lord, the best Lord and the best Supporter.

Note that Islam simply means "Submission". The only "religion" acceptable to GOD is "Submission to Him alone". People misunderstand when I say "Jesus was a Muslim, Abraham was a Muslim, Moses was a Muslim, so on and so forth". Simply I am saying they were submitters to GOD alone. Christianity, Judaism, Islam are just ways for us to label certain people based on the Scripture they believe in. In the end, they are all true (even if we can't find all the truth these days). In the end, they are all Submitters.

Peace

 

[YmirGF]

The idea is to find the most reliable, is it not?

None of them are particularly "reliable" in that all the translators have their own agenda on how to portray the Qur'an. That is why it is better to look at many different copies (and the Tafsir's) to get a proper overview. That way, you are not a slave to a single viewpoint.

 

[gnostic]

gnostic,

You may be interested in this, you can search any part of the Quran and it shows you six different translations:

Unfortunately as a new member I cannot post external URLS. If you do a google search for "WebQT", though, it should be the first result.

Thanks, Snowber.

Do you have any preference to which translation as being most reliable?

(Reliable as being able to conveying the original message or context across.)

 

[kejos]

None of them are particularly "reliable" in that all the translators have their own agenda on how to portray the Qur'an.

Why doesn't somebody without an agenda translate it?