IslamiCity Forum - Islamic Discussion Forum: English translations of Qur’an

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DavidC

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Posted: 03 April 2005 at 5:57am

My favorite is a PALM copy of the Yusuf Ali translation. The PALM limits
reading to a few verses, which I find better for meditation.

DavidC

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naveed

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Posted: 04 April 2005 at 12:03pm

I would recommend the "Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali & Muhammad Muhsin Khan translation". As you probably know, a translation is only someone's understanding of the meaning. And something I recently learnt is that a translation also is limited by time, in the sense that something translation today, will not make too much sense, say a hundred years from now.

Like you, I don't know Arabic and I need to learn. I really wish there were some good free online Arabic teaching sites.

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Mustafaa

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Posted: 07 April 2005 at 4:43am

Originally posted by Yusuf.

Assalamu alaikum,

I have not had a chance to read it but many are saying that this new translation is the most accurate to date:

http://www.masud.co.uk/shopping/cleary_quran.htm

Wa alaykum as-salaam, brother,

Is Thomas Cleary Muslim? If the translation is good, then there's not much problem. But in my opinion, there's always a bit of difference between translations by Muslims and non-Muslims; I am in favour of Muslim translators.

By the way, I am Mustafa Ugur (Ibn Salim). How are you, brother?

Edited by Mustafaa

There is no deity but Allah. Muhammad is the (last) Messenger of Allah.

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blond

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Posted: 08 April 2005 at 5:38am

Originally posted by Mustafaa

Originally posted by Yusuf.

Assalamu alaikum,

I have not had a chance to read it but many are saying that this new translation is the most accurate to date:

http://www.masud.co.uk/shopping/cleary_quran.htm

Wa alaykum as-salaam, brother,

By the way, I am Mustafa Ugur (Ibn Salim). How are you, brother?

Mustafa,

I agree with you.

Western translators, even the earlier ones who claimed to be Moslem, altered the meanings drastically in their translations. Some removed the numbering of Ayats.

I believe it is best to learn to read Quran and get away from Tafsir.

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ummziba
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Posted: 08 April 2005 at 5:48am

Yes, of course it is BETTER to learn to read the Qur'an in the original Arabic. But where does that leave those of us with "defective brains" who have far too hard a time learning it? Are we just left out? Surely there must be some translation of the meaning that comes at least close to the original. Really, only those who can read and understand Arabic and English can answer this question.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, but I am still left wondering my original question: which english translation is considered good?

Peace, ummziba.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they break my soul ~

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blond

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Posted: 08 April 2005 at 6:22am

Originally posted by ummziba

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, but I am still left wondering my original question: which english translation is considered good?

Peace, ummziba.

You are not defective.

I have not seen a real push to help people learn the Arabic language, as much as the Arab culture.

I began by studying several Tafsir simultaneously, along with several dictionaries; both Arabic and English.

Then, I started learning the Arabic characters.

Then, I learned to put them together.

Then, I studied several courses on the Arabic language.

Then, I studied a course on the Quran.

Now I read it daily in the Arabic and it is far different than just relying on tafsir.

Thank you.

Edited by blond

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ummziba
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Posted: 09 April 2005 at 5:22am

I am happy for you Blond, that you were able to learn Arabic. I have studied for years, with a real Arab teacher. I have a disease that affects my memory. I'm not lazy or looking for excuses. I do have a defective brain. It would be good to know that the english I am reading is at least close to the word of Allah.

Still, I will plug away, Allah willing, I will at least be blessed for trying.

Peace, ummziba.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they break my soul ~

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Nausheen
Female Islam
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Posted: 09 April 2005 at 9:09am

Auzubillahi minash shaitan ir rajeem,

Bismillah ir rahman ir rahim,

Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullah

Originally posted by ummziba

Still, I will plug away, Allah willing, I will at least be blessed for trying.

Insha allah sister, it is said in a hadith that one who has a difficulty in reading is rewarded twice as much as one who can read with ease

Rewards are with intentions, so keep trying, He will make it easy for you insha allah.

I am sorry to learn about your situation. If it is hard for you, stay with the translations. There is a great deal of understanding in these as well. In which case it would be good to follow the tafsir too.

There are some good tafsir translations also available.

May allah help you and reward you for all your intentions and efforts.

Maa salaama,

Nausheen

Wanu nazzilu minal Qurani ma huwa
Shafaa un wa rahmatun lil mo'mineena
wa la yaziduzzalimeena illa khasara.

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Quran & Sunnah
IslamiCity Forum - Islamic Discussion Forum : Religion - Islam : Quran & Sunnah

Topic: English translations of Qur’an
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Author	Message
DavidC Senior Member Joined: 20 September 2001 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 2211	Posted: 03 April 2005 at 5:57am
	My favorite is a PALM copy of the Yusuf Ali translation. The PALM limits reading to a few verses, which I find better for meditation. DavidC
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naveed Starter Joined: 04 April 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 04 April 2005 at 12:03pm
	I would recommend the "Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali & Muhammad Muhsin Khan translation". As you probably know, a translation is only someone's understanding of the meaning. And something I recently learnt is that a translation also is limited by time, in the sense that something translation today, will not make too much sense, say a hundred years from now. Like you, I don't know Arabic and I need to learn. I really wish there were some good free online Arabic teaching sites.
	IP Logged

Mustafaa Senior Member Joined: 17 November 2001 Location: Turkey Online Status: Offline Posts: 986	Posted: 07 April 2005 at 4:43am
	*Originally posted by Yusuf.* Assalamu alaikum, I have not had a chance to read it but many are saying that this new translation is the most accurate to date: http://www.masud.co.uk/shopping/cleary_quran.htm Wa alaykum as-salaam, brother, Is Thomas Cleary Muslim? If the translation is good, then there's not much problem. But in my opinion, there's always a bit of difference between translations by Muslims and non-Muslims; I am in favour of Muslim translators. By the way, I am Mustafa Ugur (Ibn Salim). How are you, brother? Edited by Mustafaa
	There is no deity but Allah. Muhammad is the (last) Messenger of Allah.
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blond Senior Member Joined: 30 March 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 218	Posted: 08 April 2005 at 5:38am
	*Originally posted by Mustafaa* *Originally posted by Yusuf.* Assalamu alaikum, I have not had a chance to read it but many are saying that this new translation is the most accurate to date: http://www.masud.co.uk/shopping/cleary_quran.htm Wa alaykum as-salaam, brother, Is Thomas Cleary Muslim? If the translation is good, then there's not much problem. But in my opinion, there's always a bit of difference between translations by Muslims and non-Muslims; I am in favour of Muslim translators. By the way, I am Mustafa Ugur (Ibn Salim). How are you, brother? Mustafa, I agree with you. Western translators, even the earlier ones who claimed to be Moslem, altered the meanings drastically in their translations. Some removed the numbering of Ayats. I believe it is best to learn to read Quran and get away from Tafsir.
	IP Logged

ummziba Female Islam Senior Member Joined: 16 March 2005 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 1158	Posted: 08 April 2005 at 5:48am
	Yes, of course it is BETTER to learn to read the Qur'an in the original Arabic. But where does that leave those of us with "defective brains" who have far too hard a time learning it? Are we just left out? Surely there must be some translation of the meaning that comes at least close to the original. Really, only those who can read and understand Arabic and English can answer this question. Thanks for all the suggestions so far, but I am still left wondering my original question: which english translation is considered good? Peace, ummziba.
	Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they break my soul ~
	IP Logged

blond Senior Member Joined: 30 March 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 218	Posted: 08 April 2005 at 6:22am
	*Originally posted by ummziba* Yes, of course it is BETTER to learn to read the Qur'an in the original Arabic. But where does that leave those of us with "defective brains" who have far too hard a time learning it? Are we just left out? Surely there must be some translation of the meaning that comes at least close to the original. Really, only those who can read and understand Arabic and English can answer this question. Thanks for all the suggestions so far, but I am still left wondering my original question: which english translation is considered good? Peace, ummziba. You are not defective. I have not seen a real push to help people learn the Arabic language, as much as the Arab culture. I began by studying several Tafsir simultaneously, along with several dictionaries; both Arabic and English. Then, I started learning the Arabic characters. Then, I learned to put them together. Then, I studied several courses on the Arabic language. Then, I studied a course on the Quran. Now I read it daily in the Arabic and it is far different than just relying on tafsir. Thank you. Edited by blond
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ummziba Female Islam Senior Member Joined: 16 March 2005 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 1158	Posted: 09 April 2005 at 5:22am
	I am happy for you Blond, that you were able to learn Arabic. I have studied for years, with a real Arab teacher. I have a disease that affects my memory. I'm not lazy or looking for excuses. I do have a defective brain. It would be good to know that the english I am reading is at least close to the word of Allah. Still, I will plug away, Allah willing, I will at least be blessed for trying. Peace, ummziba.
	Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they break my soul ~
	IP Logged

Nausheen Female Islam Senior Member Senior Member Joined: 10 January 2001 Location: Japan Online Status: Offline Posts: 4146	Posted: 09 April 2005 at 9:09am
	Auzubillahi minash shaitan ir rajeem, Bismillah ir rahman ir rahim, Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullah *Originally posted by ummziba* Still, I will plug away, Allah willing, I will at least be blessed for trying. Insha allah sister, it is said in a hadith that one who has a difficulty in reading is rewarded twice as much as one who can read with ease Rewards are with intentions, so keep trying, He will make it easy for you insha allah. I am sorry to learn about your situation. If it is hard for you, stay with the translations. There is a great deal of understanding in these as well. In which case it would be good to follow the tafsir too. There are some good tafsir translations also available. May allah help you and reward you for all your intentions and efforts. Maa salaama, Nausheen
	Wanu nazzilu minal Qurani ma huwa Shafaa un wa rahmatun lil mo'mineena wa la yaziduzzalimeena illa khasara.
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