Many people in the west ask questions like: Why is it that Muslim scholars take verses from the Qur’an, and over-interpret them to the point where it’s vastly different from the more trusted translations? Why is it that every word in the Qur’an has 5 different meanings, and every verse has ten? Languages are made by people, so double interpretations are also made by people, not God!
These questions are all logical and need reasonable answers. In my humble opinion, the starting point is in studying the background of each and every translator, his education and knowledge, his motives to translate the Qur’an, his style, and finally the readers’ opinions about his work, these have a high significance. It’s extremely important to clarify first that there is no such thing as a “translation of the Qur’an;” there is only a “translation to the words of the Qur’an.” In this pursuit, this is no more than a summary of the information I gathered about some of the most recent Qur’an translations (i.e. only those who have translated the Qur’an within the last 14 years to English). This summary includes some personal information about the translators, their educational background, the style they adopted in the translation, and some selected reviews of their work. I hope that Al-Azhar in cooperation with other Islamic institutions all over the world would make a similar project but on a much bigger scholarly scale. Then finally, they would select one English copy as the most authentic translation to the meanings of the Qur’an. This copy would then be duplicated and spread all over the world. This cause could have its own standing committee that repeats the aforementioned process every 5 years. They would revise the latest translations and compare them to the previously chosen one to make any necessary modifications. May Allah guide them to what’s beneficent for the Muslim nation and all mankind.
The translators:
The translators under the spotlight of this research, their nationalities and the years in which their translation was published are as follows:
- M.A.S. Abd El-Haleem (2004) (Egyptian).
- Mufti Taqi Usmani (2006) (Indian).
- Ali Unal (2007) (Turkish).
- Laleh Bakhtiar (2007) (Iranian American).
- Ahmad Zaki Hammad (2008) (Egyptian).
- Tarif Khalidi (2008) (Palestinian).
- Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (2009) (Indian).
- Usama Dakdok (2009) (Egyptian American).
- Assad Nimer Busool (2010) (Palestinian).
- Yahiya Emerick (2010) (American).
- Ahmad & Muhammad Hamed (2011) (Egyptians).
- Muhammad Tahir Ul-Qadri (2011) (Pakistani).
- Nazeer Ahmad (2011) (Indian).
- A.S. Abd El-Haleem
A Brief about him:
A. S. Abdel Haleem was born in Egypt and learned the Qur’an by heart at a very early age. After receiving his higher education at Al-Azhar and Cambridge Universities, he earned a teaching position for the Arabic language at Cambridge and London Universities in 1966. He also gave courses in advanced practical translation and the Qur’an. He is now Professor of Islamic Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. His most recent publications are Understanding the Qur’an: Themes and Style (2001), and English Translations of the Qur’an: The Making of an Image (2004). He is also working on an Arabic–English Dictionary of Qur’anic Usage, with El-Said Badawi. He is the editor of the Journal of Qur’anic Studies and the London Qur’anic Studies series. As an Arabic-speaking Muslim who has been living in England since 1966, he’s considered one of the very few who have such mastery of both languages. Furthermore, he is a lexicographer fully equipped with the knowledge of both classical and modern Arabic.
Whilst maintaining his own Muslim faith, Dr Abdel Haleem has some moderate opinions; One of which is arguing that British Muslims fighting against British forces in the Afghanistan conflict are violating the instructions of the Qur’an. Professor Abdel Haleem was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in The Queen’s 2008 Birthday Honours in recognition of his services to Arabic culture, literature and to inter-faith understanding. His translation for the meanings of the Qur’an was first published in 2004.
The Purpose of this Work:
Dr Abd El-Haleem explained the purpose of his translation in the following words:
“This translation is intended to go further than previous works in accuracy, clarity, flow, and currency of language. It is written in a modern, easy style, avoiding where possible the use of cryptic language or archaisms that tend to obscure meaning. The intention is to make the Qur’an accessible to everyone who speaks English, Muslims or otherwise, including the millions of people all over the world for whom the English language has become a lingua franca.”
The Adopted Style:
In his critical study of Dr Abdel-Haleem’s translation, Dr.Muhammad Sultan Shah said:
“One of the main characteristics of this translation is the brevity exercised by the learned translator that is not possible without mastery of both the languages. Professor Abdel Haleem has used minimum words in his translation and exegetical notes. He has added footnotes where there is extreme need of clarification or further explanation. In footnotes, he refers to Arabic grammar and lexicography.1“
Selected Reviews:
Andrew Rippin said: “I am impressed with Abdel Haleem’s work and I will undoubtedly continue to work through it (with Arberry always close at hand). In part, simply because it is a pleasing book to work with physically, having been nicely designed and printed.” [Andrew Rippin: Two New Translations of the Qur’an. December 2004].
Professor David F.Ford calls it Professor Haleem’s major scholarly achievement. [Michael Ipgrave(ed.), Scriptures in Dialogue. Christians and Muslims studying the Bible and the Qur’an together, (Church House Publishing, London 2004)].
Khaleel Mohammad describes this translation as falling short in some respects but also praises it due to its language, saying, “The preciseness of English is certainly commendable, but there are problems that show that Abdel-Haleem has incorporated his doctrinal bias into his translation…. Abdel-Haleem has done a good job.” [Khaleel Mohammed, Assessing English Translations of the Qur’an, Middle East Quarterly, Vol. xii, No.2, Spring 2005].
Miscellaneous Reviews:
“This translation is written in contemporary language that remains true to the meaning and spirit of the original, making the text crystal clear while retaining all of this great work’s eloquence… the translation is completely free from the archaisms, incoherence, and alien structures that mar other translations. Furthermore, Haleem includes notes that explain geographical, historical, and personal allusions.”
“In the Introduction, the author also provides a very brief history of Islam, how the Qur’an was revealed to the Seal of the Prophets, style or language of the Qur’an, and a select bibliography for further reading and understanding of the Qur’an. This makes it a perfect gift for anyone who knows little about Islam and wants to learn about it through its most authoritative book – the Qur’an. I do not like the personal commentaries on the Qur’an and mixing Hadiths with the Qur’anic text. That is why I try to avoid those translations that have half-page long footnotes, thus adding their own words to the Divine Text. Though this translation also provides footnotes, the main difference between this translator’s approach and others (when it comes to footnotes) is that these footnotes only reference other similar verses from the Qur’an itself without mingling Hadiths and other opinions.”
“After studying and comparing multiple Qur’anic translations, it is apparent that even within the Islamic world, certain phrases in Arabic can convey multiple meanings due to the nature of the Arabic language. Some translators follow more Western-friendly interpretations than others, but really, I think the issue is properly focused on what the likely intended meaning was – some interpretations are certainly more “noble” than others. In other words, I do not believe Mr Haleem or any of the translations I have read set out with the idea of selling the Qur’an to the West – any differences appear to be legitimate theological/linguistic disagreements. I have now read at least 6 different translations of the Qur’an, including some modern intentionally revisionist copies, and I still come back to Mr Haleem’s translation. It has some interpretations I disagree with, but is that any different than choosing the NKJV Bible over the NIV? Mr Haleem has rendered the Qur’an in the most readable yet beautiful English translation and I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
“It reads a bit dryly at times, and the grammar choices are sometimes awkward. There isn’t really any peripheral material such as a good index, glossary, etc.”
References:
- “A Critical Study of Abdel Haleem’s New Translation of the Holy Qur’an” by Dr.Muhammad Sultan Shah.
- http://www.amazon.com/Quran-English-translation-Parallel-Arabic/dp/019957071X
A sample of Dr Abdel-Haleem’s work.
2. Mufti Taqi Usmani
A Brief about him:
Mufti Taqi Usmani was born on 5 October 1943 in Deoband, India. In 1959 he graduated from the `Alim course at Darul Uloom, Karachi. He then specialized in fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) under the guidance of his father, the Grand Mufti of Pakistan and of Darul Uloom, Karachi, Muhammad Shaf’i, receiving his specialization degree (equivalent to a PhD) in fiqh and Ifta’ (issuance of Islamic legal opinions) from Darul Uloom Karachi in 1961, earning the title of Mufti. He graduated from the University of Karachi with a Bachelor of Arts in 1964, then received a Bachelor of Laws with distinction from the University of Karachi in 1967. He received a Master of Arts in Arabic literature, with distinction, from the University of Punjab in 1970.
Usmani pioneered the concept of Islamic banking in Pakistan when he established the Meezan Bank. He has authored a large number of books in Arabic, Urdu, and English on Islamic topics in addition to a large number of articles on Islamic banking and finance published in a number of journals and magazines. Usmani is currently a mentor to numerous spiritual aspirants all over the world, He teaches Sahih Al-Bukhari, fiqh, and Islamic economics at Darul Uloom Karachi, and is known for his Islahi Khutbat.
In March 2004, United Arab Emirates Vice President and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented an award to Taqi Usmani in recognition of his lifetime service and achievement in Islamic finance during the annual International Islamic Finance Forum (IIFF) in Dubai. His translation for the meanings of the Qur’an was first published in 2006.
The Purpose of this Work:
The purpose of this translation could be summarized in the following words:
“Although a large number of English translations of the Holy Qur’an are available in the market, no comprehensive commentary of the Holy Qur’an has still appeared in the English language. Some brief footnotes found with some English translation cannot fulfil the need for detailed commentary. Besides, they are generally written by people who were not specialized in the Qur’anic sciences and their explanatory notes do not often reflect the authentic interpretation of Holy Qur’an. Some such notes are based on an arbitrary interpretation having no foundation in the recognized principles of the exegesis (tafsir) of the Holy Qur’an and are thus misleading for a common reader.”
It could be deducted from the author’s biography, positions held and currently holding, and his vast numerous publications, that Imam Usmani didn’t leave any branch in the Islamic sciences without indulging into and writing about it or teaching it to his students. Till the moment of writing this; Imam Usmani authored approximately 66 books in 3 languages (Arabic, Urdu & English) for he masters the three of them perfectly, so by all means, with all his knowledge and clear intelligence he must have wanted to contribute in presenting to the west a translation of the meanings of the Qur’an based on his vast knowledge of the Islamic sciences, especially ‘Ulum Al-Qur’an and according to his convictions as an erudite scholar of what are the proper translations for the meanings of each verse. This translation has absolutely been done by a world-renowned scholar.
The Adopted Style:
It is very simple with the least change in the literal meanings of the words, you can even see the translator using words like “Jihad”, “Zakah”, “Salah”, “Fitnah”, “Musa”, “Maryam”, “Zakariyya”, “Yusuf”, “Yahya”……etc., as the translation for the Arabic words without trying to use their known equivalents in English. Where necessary, Imam Usmani would add his comment or explanations between brackets to facilitate the verse’s understanding within the context, but he didn’t overuse this option like some other translations, nor did he use the footnotes option like most translators do. This translation is merely a word for word translation but with some clarifications where necessary.
Selected Review:
“It’s simply impossible to translate the Qur’an. Mufti Taqi Usmani, one of the world’s foremost scholars, renders an excellent interpretation of its meanings with commentary concise enough for the average reader to complete, but sufficient enough to facilitate understanding. My teacher also recommends Dr Ahmad Zaki Hammad’s. The Haleem translation is also good for one without commentary. I have not looked deeply into it but I am told Thomas Cleary’s is also excellent.”
References:
- http://www.amazon.com/Noble-Quran-Mufti-Muhammad-Usmani/dp/9695640001
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
A sample of Sheikh Usmani’s work.
3. Ali Unal
A Brief about him:
He was born in 19 January 1955 in Uşak, province of Turkey. He is often associated with the Gülen Movement, a modernist Islamic group in Turkey. In addition to being an author, Ali Ünal is a prolific translator of works with an Islamic theme into English, and has translated many works by Fethullah Gülen, the spiritual leader and founder of the Gülen Movement. In 2006, Ali Ünal’s English translation of the Qur’an was released. Ali Ünal’s translation has been noted for its use of contemporary English, which makes it more readable than some classical Qur’an translations. Entitled The Qur’an with Annotated Interpretation in Modern English, the work also included extensive annotations by the translator. Ünal’s published books as author and editor include “Islam Addresses Contemporary Issues,” “Islamic Perspectives on Science: Knowledge and Responsibility,” “The Resurrection and the Afterlife,” and “Islam and Humanity at the Crossroads.” Ali Ünal is also a columnist for Zaman, a major Turkish daily newspaper. Lately, he was placed under arrest by Erdogan’s MB controlled government, and thrown in prison as a political prisoner.
The Purpose of this Work:
From the forward at the beginning of his work, Unal expressed his view regarding the translation of the Qur’an and that it should reflect the true meanings of the verses not only independently but also in relation to one another and with the totality of the Qur’an. He states the following: “Therefore, understanding and interpreting a verse requires having complete knowledge and understanding of the Qur’an as a whole and considering the totality of it. It should not be forgotten that the main interpreter of the Qur’an is the Qur’an itself; as verses interpret one another, the Qur’an as a whole also interprets each of them. We have tried to strictly observe this unique feature of the Qur’an.”
In short, Unal wanted to produce a new translation which can help the reader reach a better understanding of the Qur’an based on the views of knowledgeable scholars like the venerable Suat Yıldırım, the renowned professor of the Qur’anic interpretation in Turkey.
The Adopted Style:
Unal’s work is more like a simplified tafsir (exegesis) of the Qur’an than a translation. After the linguistic translation of every few verses, Unal states his commentary explaining those verse, its relation to historical events, its relation to other verses if any, linguistic and grammatical explanation in connection to the Arabic words, etc. This is by far the biggest and most comprehensive translation of all translations mentioned in this research. It is a 1327 pages work. He uses modern English, he adds short notes between brackets amidst the translation when needed.
Selected Reviews:
“The eloquence and deep learning of this volume speak to people from all faiths. Framed by an introduction, extensive notes, and several appendices from a master of tafsir and ta¹wil (Qur¹anic interpretation and commentary), this volume attests to the universal appeal of Islam¹s holiest book. Readers, who are new to the study of the Qur¹an, as well as those who are already immersed in its beauty, will benefit immensely from Unal’s annotated translation.” Professor Bernadette Andrea, the University of Texas at San Antonio
“The introductory material explaining both the provenance and interpretation of the Qur’an is among the most useful I have encountered in existing editions. Non-Muslim readers will certainly benefit from the general explanation of interpretation and commentary on the Qur’an, as well as the clear explication of how the text is presented in this edition. And here I compliment you on presenting a clearly Islamic understanding of the text which neither panders to political correctness nor seeks unnecessary conflict or confrontation with non-Muslim communities. It is increasingly recognized that casual readers of the Qur’an are more likely to be confused than enlightened if they simply read a literal translation in its given order.” Robert Hunt, Professor of Religion, Southern Methodist University
“Ali Unal’s translation is one of the best English translations of the last few decades. The language is both lucid and faithful to the original Arabic. The commentary is extremely valuable for two main reasons. The first is the degree to which it roots itself in the classical tafsir tradition, bringing to its audience the insights of centuries of classical Qur’an interpretation. The second is its focus on the spiritual teachings and implications of the verses–a focus that is far too rare in many other contemporary commentaries.” Scott C. Alexander, Professor of Islamic Studies, Catholic Theological Union.
After reading many translations (including most respected valuable works of Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Asad) this one stands out in many respects. First of all, it is very easy to understand. In a language we use every day. Has very informative and detailed explanations of the verses. At the end of the book, there is a very informative Appendix, which itself is like a separate book, on various hot topics on Islam, Like -Women in Islam, – Islam and war, -predestiny, – Resurrection… etc. A nice glossary of Islamic terms at the end. It is from a mainstream Suni perspective. Informative drawings and pictures. Perfect cover and paper quality (mine is hardcover version). Basically, if you are looking for a clear and simple translation, if you want to go beyond the bare translation and search into the details, if you don’t have time to read big volumes of Tafseer (commentaries) for the Muslim and Non-Muslim alike, this is the best translation you can get.
I am not a Quran scholar and would not presume to comment on the accuracy of this translation/interpretation, but I have found that whenever I compare Unal’s translation to others including Yusuf Ali, Pickthall, Nooruddin and the new translation by Abdel Haleem, I find no difference in meaning. What I appreciate most about this translation, other than reading Quran in modern English, is the inclusion of numerous reference pages including glossaries of the Beautiful Names of Allah, names of prophets, companions, rulers and others mentioned in Quran, and a glossary of terms. This 1365 page book also includes a list of references including those of compilers of tafsir and translators. The tafsir or commentary, written by Unal is comprehensive and includes information often missing in other commentaries, which usually assume the reader is better educated in the Islamic sciences than most are in this day and age.
References:
- http://www.amazon.com/Quran-Annotated-Interpretation-Modern-English/product-reviews/1597841447/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
- http://www.amazon.com/Quran-Annotated-Interpretation-Modern-English/dp/product-description/1597841447/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&qid=1366889647&s=books&sr=1-1-catcorr
A sample of Unal’s work:
Islamic Methodologies Made Easy 