-- a comparative study by Clay Smith
Following is a comparison by Clay Smith, a revert. It covers many translators, but the comparer admits that he does not know Arabic and has limited awareness of Islamic scholarship. So he may have made positive comments about deceptive works, e.g. those of the Qadianis/ Ahmedya Lahoris. His short biography of Rashad Khalifa is also different from what I have read.
He finds little to criticize in almost all translations, even from non-Muslims with an agenda to twist meanings and to attack Islam.
His attempt to be comprehensive is to be commended, but be careful with his conclusions. Note that the Quran cannot be translated. What is commonly called Quran translation is actually a translation of the meanings of the Quran, as understood by the translator.
-- timbuktu
Quran Translations: by Clay Smith (Updated 2009.07.17)
In May 2001 I began looking into the Quran. Using a variety of English Quran translations and a few commentaries, I read, compare, and reflect. Being illiterate in Arabic and having limited awareness of Islamic scholarship, I rely on some of these various translations (and their commentaries) to give me confidence I am seeing reliable meanings intended in the Quran.
Kidwai's is perhaps the better known review of English translations of the meanings of the Quran. He regards Hilali's work of 1977 as not a significant venture in this field. But he has not reviewed Hilali and Khan's later work that has become the official version for distribution by the Saudis. --- timbuktu
Translating the Untranslatable:
A Survey of English Translations of the Quran
by A.R. Kidwai
Despite the historical fact that the early Muslim community's stand on the translation of the Arabic text of the Quran was ambivalent, as indeed, the general Muslim attitude remains so to this day, the act of translation may be logically viewed as a natural part of the Muslim exegetical effort. However, whereas the idea of interpreting the Quran has not been so controversial, the emotional motives behind rendering the Quranic text into languages other than Arabic have always been looked upon with suspicion.
This is obvious as the need for translating the Quran arose in those historic circumstances when a large number of non-Arabic speaking people had embraced Islam, and giving new linguistic orientations to the contents of the revelation - as, for instance, happened in the case of the 'New Testament' - could have led to unforeseeable, and undesirable, developments within the body of the Islamic religion itself.
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Bismillah Al-Rehman Al-Raheem Anti Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam
18th July 2003
Deceitful Translations of the Qur'an into Foreign Languages
Submitted by Anonymous
Introduction/Objective
In the ongoing effort to ensure people are depending on Reliable Qur'an translations, research has been undertaken into the various translations of the Holy Qur'an in different languages. This research involves locating translations in a given language, followed by looking into the background of the translator, authority, or group behind the translation. This is necessary in order to ascertain whether there is any sectarial bias or motive in mis-translating for the benefit of a specific group or sect.
52 And verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other). |
53 But people have cut off their affair (of unity), between them, into sects: each party rejoices in that which is with itself. |
Qur'an, 23.52-53 (Al-Mumenoon [The Believers]) |
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78. There is among them a section who distort the Book with their tongues: (As they read) you would think it is a part of the Book, but it is no part of the Book; and they say, "That is from Allah," but it is not from Allah: It is they who tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it! |
Qur'an 3.78 (Aal-E-Imran [The Family of Imran]) |
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Qur'an translations which are to be avoided are the ones which pose a threat to the integrity of the Holy Qur'an as revealed from the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
28 (It is) a Qur'an in Arabic, without any crookedness (therein): in order that they may guard against Evil. |
Qur'an, 39.28 (Az-Zumar [The Troops, Throngs]) |
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