Quran in English

[brooklyn36100]

Salaam Walaikum

As most of you already know I am a convert (not new) but since 1975.

I know that the Quran Original is in Arabic, and that the english or any other language is at most the best translation that can be.

My question: Is it ok to continullay change the english translation of the Quran, I have 4 versions and they barely say the same thing, is this fair to the english speaking people, or is it that it does not matter since it is not the Arabic Original.

I personaly think this is wrong, it is almost like playing with people ( do not get upset this is just my opinion).

Walaikum Salaam

[Yahya]

The English is NOT the Qur'an. And in most cases, I think that they SHOULD be changed. There continue to be a lot issues with such English publications, especially when it comes to the mutashaabihah verses. Some of the English versions are very political, only representing one point of view. Some translators did not consult tafseers while others relied almost entirely on only one tafseer.

Generally, the translators were not extensively trained in religion. Thus they shouldn't have attempted to produce such a book in the first place. As I'm sure you know, the title of mufassir is a highly honored title, and it's one of the most difficult levels of knowledge to reach because of the sheer amount of pre-requisite knowledge.

But make no mistake, when you make a so-called "translation" of the Qur'an, you are actually making a tafseer. You are attempting to "explain" the meaning of the ayat to people who lack the ability to interpret the original ayat themselves.

In many ways, since I know of NO mufassireen that are fluent in English, I would most prefer if there were NO English versions at all. Then people wouldn't be misled, and you wouldn't have people trying to structure their lives around an English text which is (a) NOT the Qur'an, and (b) NOT a proper tafseer either.

[mustajab]

Mufti Taqi Usmani has his own translation. I'm sure its a reliable translation.

[brooklyn36100]

Salaam Walaikum

The English is NOT the Qur'an.

We know this nobody lets us forget

And in most cases, I think that they SHOULD be changed.

new manipulated versions or destroyed?

There continue to be a lot issues with such English publications, especially when it comes to the mutashaabihah verses. Some of the English versions are very political, only representing one point of view.

This may not be such a bad thing, being that Islam is a politcal system also, see references to medinah.

Some translators did not consult tafseers while others relied almost entirely on only one tafseer.

This could be a slight problem, but in favor of whom?

Generally, the translators were not extensively trained in religion. Thus they shouldn't have attempted to produce such a book in the first place.

this goes contray to Islam, allah(swt) created all people and gave them different language.

As I'm sure you know, the title of mufassir is a highly honored title, and it's one of the most difficult levels of knowledge to reach because of the sheer amount of pre-requisite knowledge.

To make it difficult for people to do good, is questionable, I do not think they (as in yusuf ali) intended to produce a book that would mis guide.

But make no mistake, when you make a so-called "translation" of the Qur'an, you are actually making a tafseer. You are attempting to "explain" the meaning of the ayat to people who lack the ability to interpret the original ayat themselves.

This was supposed to be able to be done, Allah (swt) did not make all people arabic.

In many ways, since I know of NO mufassireen that are fluent in English, I would most prefer if there were NO English versions at all.

You would be in a nightmare when it came to dawah, no one would first believe anything that was said and 2 everyone would be forced to learn Arabic willing or not.

Then people wouldn't be misled, and you wouldn't have people trying to structure their lives around an English text which is (a) NOT the Qur'an, and (b) NOT a proper tafseer either.

Here you would have people speaking about whatever they wanted, and no one could prove right or wrong, the people could be manipualted worse than now.

Jazakala for your point of view

[brooklyn36100]

Mufti Taqi Usmani has his own translation. I'm sure its a reliable translation.

Salaam Walaikum

is this version available electronic, I would like to view it.

[Yahya]

Who said it was supposed to be easy to make a tafseer? Just like EVERYTHING else in Islam, you have to KNOW what you are doing before you do it.

Most of the tafaaseer that were written in the past, were written by qualified scholars. It would be best if we continue to adhere to that tradition...


And I'm not saying that people should be able to say whatever they want. I'm saying the exact opposite. Right now people are saying whatever they want, and I think we should STOP that.