Hello to you!

wth1257 · **Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

Hi,

My name is Will, I'm a student currently enjoying the lax times of summer break

I'm interested in learning about Islam, in fact I dropped Calc 3 to take "Classical Islam" next fall. I've read "No god but God" by Reza Aslan and enjoyed it, and would like to read the Koran this summer(though I have quite a few other, very dense books to get through and am not sure if I will get to it).

I'm a lapsed Catholic, I was once seriously considering the Preisthood but decided aghinst it, and still have aversion to Organized Religion, though great respect for Pope John Paul II who is a personal hearo and the primary reasone I still classify myself as any sort of Catholic. My main interests are logic and philosophy of mathematics and philosphy of Mind, but politics and history are side interests.

I'm a truely awefull speller(In fact I joke that I love symbolic logic so much because there is little to know spelling involved

), so please forgive that.

Is there any advise or recomendations you have?

Muslim Woman · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

Salaam/peace

welcome to the forum . Glad to know that u will study Islam

-- btw what is Classical Islam ?

Ask any question u want to know about Islam. God Willing , we will ans

**Muslimah421** · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

welcome to the forum

i advise u read the quran. God willing u will enjoy it very much
plus-u won't find any book that compares to it

wth1257 · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muslim Woman

Salaam/peace

welcome to the forum . Glad to know that u will study Islam

-- btw what is Classical Islam ?

That's a good question:P

I assume, though I don't know, it simply examines the besis of Islam, and traditional teachings of Scholars, like pre Afghani/Waahab traditional religious discource, but don't really know.

I was advised by a Muslim to take it, so I assume it's fairly orthodox

Quote:

Ask any question u want to know about Islam. God Willing , we will ans

Thank you

wth1257 · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by muslimah421

welcome to the forum

i advise u read the quran. God willing u will enjoy it very much
plus-u won't find any book that compares to it

Yes, the problem is I don't speak Arabic and most translations are clumsy, are there any Translations/commentaries you'd recomend?

**Muslimah421** · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

I don’t know…I’v always use to use any translation since I could understand most of it

mayb someone else can help u

Skye Ephémérine · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

I recommend you the Leopold weiss translation

http://www.amazon.com/Message-Quran-...0474139&sr=8-1

br woodrow was a former catholic who I believe joined the priesthood, then became Muslim hope he comes to greet you soon insha'Allah..

Also read the amazing Quran by Dr. Gary Miller
http://www.islamuncovered.com/ebooks...ng%20Quran.pdf

aboard by the way...
peace

wth1257 · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skye Ephémérine

I recommend you the Leopold weiss translation

http://www.amazon.com/Message-Quran-...0474139&sr=8-1

br woodrow was a former catholic who I believe joined the priesthood, then became Muslim hope he comes to greet you soon insha'Allah..

Also read the amazing Quran by Dr. Gary Miller
http://www.islamuncovered.com/ebooks...ng%20Quran.pdf

aboard by the way...
peace

Thank you, in that vein, are there any Muslim Scholars, Philosophers/Theologians you'd recomend?

al Amaanah · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

welcome to LI

Skye Ephémérine · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by wth1257

Thank you, in that vein, are there any Muslim Scholars, Philosophers/Theologians you'd recomend?

Well personally I really enjoy Dr Ahmad deedat.. he has many amazing religious debates
http://cgi.ebay.com/AHMED-DEEDAT-DEB...QQcmdZViewItem

.. on a very personal level I love sheikh sha3rawi but he only speaks Arabic.. another one of my personal favorite is Dr. Sali7 Ar'rachid but I am not sure he has any lectures in English.. he is a theologian and a psychiatrist which makes for a very interesting combo aside from that i really love his voice in suret yousef (joseph)

on this very forum I'd recommend you Br. Ansar Al'Adl for a quick browse..

http://www.islamicboard.com/userpage.php?userid=49

but I'd shop around, I am sure other members know much more than me..

peace

Skye Ephémérine · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

I thought this review by a fellow reader of this particular translation was really good, but unless you speak Arabic, I recommend you get more than one copy just for compare/contrast purposes..

Quote:

By A. Shankar "blue ego" (NSW Australia) -
I have compared key passages of Surah 2,40,36 and other important intepretations like dealing with al-muqattat as well as dealing with root words in forming the meaning of various translations they include:

Professor Abdel Haleem (fatal mistakes in translating key words, which he does not reference to either explanations by the Prophet or any proper source).The text is good to introduce concepts to people unfamiliar with the Islamic context however it does significantly deviate from the Islamic context by incorporating the ideas of another religion in its translation. Haleem in another text (Understanding the themes of the Quran by Haleem) mentions and forwarns of comparative translations; an error that he is susceptible to himself. However considering this is the first edition I am referring to, I would think it would be somewhat lacking of intense revision.
I found lacking in the translation of the first 19 verse of Surah Gaffir/Mumin and also Key verses of Al-Baqarah such as the Aayat-Al-Kursi and even verses of Surah Al-Anaam. I like his explanations, his tranlsation is more about explaning key issues of the Quran in a very basic way to suite a person reading the Quran just to get an Idea of what the scripture teaches and what in means in "Plain English". However all generalizations are susceptible to serious error.

Al Amana version of Yusuf Ali and also Dar-Ul Furqan version
(OK but once again has a lot of lakings and errors). THese individuals are too arrogant in their tranlastion where they interpret certain surahs with absolutely no authentic basis. They claim that the Surah Ikhlas was to debase the Christian trinitarian beliefs... how they come to this conclusion is by mere speculation but they incorperate it in such a way that an individual is led to falsely believe it to be the truth. This and Fakhry are by far the worst translations and it is shameful to say that they come from so called "Muslim" sources. I am certain that even children can point out some of the serious mistakes in these two translations. Read Surah Ikhlas and read the footnotes in this translation, you will also find flaws. That was enough for me to be unsatisfied with this translation. And if you may compare it to the explanation of Asad, the relativity of eloquence and explanation is as extreme as the distance between heaven and hell.

Muhsin Khan (King Fahd's sanctioned and also Dar-us-salam).
(This is a precise book, renders the Quran properly especially the abridged version). I found this book to give adequate proof in its tranlsation of the meaning of the Quran. However there are points where the choice of words and explanations are too generalized and inarticulate. I had issues with how As-Samad was translated and the explanation given about it. I look for a translation of the Quran which has no flaw, nor is it subjective in any way. Khan's translation is very much true to the authentic creed of Islam and its translation is harmonious to what is taught about the scripture in most religious institutions. Therefore it is one of the more cost effective and precise renderings.

Majid Fakhry
(Has errors and lacks depth in explanation; I guess due to it being the first edition). Although Al-Azhar accredits this text, I fail to think it serves anyone but the author in generating royalties. I mean I was so dissapointed in buying this translation, it lacked thought, intelligence and at points I thought it was hebetudinous to such an extent that I was contemplating a refund. Fakhry's other writings suggest that he is completely deviated from what is the authentic Islamic school of thought regardless of his education. His other works are too philosophical and speculative whereas his translation of the Quran is open-ended without much explanations on key words of the Quran most of which have no english equivalents. How these were treated by him suggest a high level of inaccuaracy in the remaining body of the text. The translation obviously lacks explanation and justification, without either an individual can only assume the negative that the author/translater did not consider the various possiblities in translation. IT IS VERY CRUDE A TRANSLATION and is more directed towards Christian explanations than Islamic which robs the Quran of its authentic meaning. The Quran by nature is a scripture of Muslims and in saying so it has deliberations upon it by the Prophet Mohammad and also various Islamic scholars. Fakhry does not cite any (to my understanding) in his translation.

M. Shakir
(stay away from this book, dont even touch it with a stick.)
This is one of those fund raising translations where a devout individual shares thought of his religion. However who is to say whether or not "his" thoughts indeed reflect the authentic creed.

Pickthal
Usage of Archaic language and the original translation had errors almost on every page. After constant and consistent correction has it seen the light of day in a populace fashion. Both Ali and Pichthal are popular due to their mass circulation in countries such as Pakistan, India and Indonesia. This is because there are no real copyright issues and publishing companies can publish them however they wish. I have seen various textual differences in Pichkthal and Ali translations based on them coming from different publishing agents. Which is the real Pickthal and Ali is now beyond me. Even Al-Amana have added their 10 cents to Yusuf Ali's translation and to my understanding contaminating it further in various instances.

And finally to Asad:

I find Asad's interpretation to be the most bona-fide and coherent, it is scrupulously referenced so he does not give his opinion rather quotes some of the greatest scholars after the manifestation of the Quran such as Zamakshari, Ibn Kathir as well as Qurtubi to name a few.

Asad's translation is the the best, undoutedly this version supercedes all others. I have read this particular version and as I know there are various in circulation (esp with Yusuf Ali) I suggest you get this version.

If you are interested in the Quran, or anyone for that matter even one who understands proper Arabic I still suggest you get this book. It is a key in understanding the Quran. Regardless of whether you know or are oblivious to the Arabic tongue. THe Quran is a legacy of humanity. Regardless of whether you are a Muslim or not it has impacted on Human thought and has changed social norms as we once knew it.
It is a piece of history and very much an inlay in the fabric of humanity. The final text of the semetic religions which is said to be the synergy of all that preceeded it.

I have personally read various scriptures and I find that the Quran has its valid standing. People often claim it is a copy of the Torah/Tanakh or the Bible however I feel although that it has inherent qualities from the preceeding scriptures it does have a nature and spirit of its own. Regardless of how others see it or portray it, it is your own opinion that should matter to you. So instead of finding and agreeing to the opinions of others of whether or not it is a valid scripture or a militant propaganda I suggest that you, yourselves have a read and read that which does infact reflect the authentic creed.

I personally found this scripture to be inspiring, to increase the level of human consciousness inside of me and finally understand that the Quran is a source of divine inspiration as opposed to a tool of destruction (as I, prior to reading it so percieved).

My perception has changed, and I carried a study of the Quran as I did with the Bhagawad Gita. Both these books are beautiful in their composition and their message. I would strongly recommend any individual to give this book a read.

Love and Regards,
a little voice.

Pk_#2 · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by wth1257

Hi,

My name is Will, I'm a student currently enjoying the lax times of summer break

I'm a truely awefull speller(In fact I joke that I love symbolic logic so much because there is little to know spelling involved

), so please forgive that.

Is there any advise or recomendations you have?

Hello there Will,

Welcome to the forum,

Agreed^ Advice* Lol and a few more!

**Abdul Baari** · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

Greetings & Welcome to the forums Will.

Hope you have a beneficial and enjoyable stay here!

Good luck in your studies, please ask, if you have any questions.

**Muhammad** · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

Greetings Will,

Welcome to the forum and thankyou for your interest in Islam.

Regarding translations of the Qur'an, please have a look at the following discussions on the forum:

http://www.islamicboard.com/quran/32...ons-quran.html (English Translations of the Qur'an)

http://www.islamicboard.com/educatio...ou-prefer.html (Which Translation of Qur'an do you prefer?)

For a list of resources when studying Islam:

http://www.islamicboard.com/discover...resources.html (Studying Islam - List of Resources)

Enjoy your stay, and may God bestow guidance upon you!

Peace

.

- Serene - · **Re: Hello to you! -** 05-11-2008

Peace!

<

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wth1257 LI Senior Member Status: Offline Posts: 138 Reputation: 567 Rep Power: 3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: United States Gender: Way of Life: Agnostic	Hello to you! - 05-11-2008 Hi, My name is Will, I'm a student currently enjoying the lax times of summer break I'm interested in learning about Islam, in fact I dropped Calc 3 to take "Classical Islam" next fall. I've read "No god but God" by Reza Aslan and enjoyed it, and would like to read the Koran this summer(though I have quite a few other, very dense books to get through and am not sure if I will get to it). I'm a lapsed Catholic, I was once seriously considering the Preisthood but decided aghinst it, and still have aversion to Organized Religion, though great respect for Pope John Paul II who is a personal hearo and the primary reasone I still classify myself as any sort of Catholic. My main interests are logic and philosophy of mathematics and philosphy of Mind, but politics and history are side interests. I'm a truely awefull speller(In fact I joke that I love symbolic logic so much because there is little to know spelling involved), so please forgive that. Is there any advise or recomendations you have?

	(#2 (permalink))
Muslim Woman LI Oldskool Status: Offline Posts: 1,996 Reputation: 4756 Rep Power: 18 Join Date: Dec 2006 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: Hello to you! - 05-11-2008 Salaam/peace welcome to the forum . Glad to know that u will study Islam -- btw what is Classical Islam ? Ask any question u want to know about Islam. God Willing , we will ans __________________ "My Father is greater than I." John 14:28 Christ will never be proud to reject to be a slave to God , nor the angels who are near ( to God ) .....holy Quran, chapter Women , 4: 172 recitation:http://quran.jalisi.com

	(#3 (permalink))
Muslimah421 Ana Qalam Status: Offline Posts: 3,343 Reputation: 13404 Rep Power: 33 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portland OR USA Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: Hello to you! - 05-11-2008 welcome to the forum i advise u read the quran. God willing u will enjoy it very much plus-u won't find any book that compares to it __________________ * Poetry Lover *

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Muslimah421 Ana Qalam Status: Offline Posts: 3,343 Reputation: 13404 Rep Power: 33 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portland OR USA Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: Hello to you! - 05-11-2008 I don’t know…I’v always use to use any translation since I could understand most of it mayb someone else can help u __________________ * Poetry Lover *

	(#7 (permalink))
Skye Ephémérine Y R U looking here? Status: Offline Posts: 7,406 Reputation: 46363 Rep Power: 78 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the Rictus of Revenge Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: Hello to you! - 05-11-2008 I recommend you the Leopold weiss translation http://www.amazon.com/Message-Quran-...0474139&sr=8-1 br woodrow was a former catholic who I believe joined the priesthood, then became Muslim hope he comes to greet you soon insha'Allah.. Also read the amazing Quran by Dr. Gary Miller http://www.islamuncovered.com/ebooks...ng%20Quran.pdf aboard by the way... peace __________________ *For the skeptic, no amount of proof will be enough, and for the believer, no amount of proof is necessary.* Life is just a dream on our way to death

	(#9 (permalink))
al Amaanah ♥ MakkahwalMadinah ♥ Status: Offline Posts: 2,428 Reputation: 10032 Rep Power: 27 Join Date: Sep 2006 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: Hello to you! - 05-11-2008 welcome to LI __________________ ((إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ)) سُــورَة آل عِــمرِان ٩٦ _______________________ !اللّهمّ أرجعني إلى بيتك الحرام

	(#13 (permalink))
Abdul Baari LI Lil' Mod Status: Offline Posts: 4,711 Reputation: 31039 Rep Power: 55 Join Date: Aug 2006 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: Hello to you! - 05-11-2008 Greetings & Welcome to the forums Will. Hope you have a beneficial and enjoyable stay here! Good luck in your studies, please ask, if you have any questions. __________________ "So, with the Exalted Lord, the most generous you are to Him is when you are most in need of Him. With the Creation, the most insignificant you are to them is when you are most in need of them” [Ibn Taymiyyah]

	(#14 (permalink))
Muhammad Slave of Allaah Status: Offline Posts: 3,941 Reputation: 23145 Rep Power: 53 Join Date: Apr 2005 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: Hello to you! - 05-11-2008 Greetings Will, Welcome to the forum and thankyou for your interest in Islam. Regarding translations of the Qur'an, please have a look at the following discussions on the forum: http://www.islamicboard.com/quran/32...ons-quran.html (English Translations of the Qur'an) http://www.islamicboard.com/educatio...ou-prefer.html (Which Translation of Qur'an do you prefer?) For a list of resources when studying Islam: http://www.islamicboard.com/discover...resources.html (Studying Islam - List of Resources) Enjoy your stay, and may God bestow guidance upon you! Peace . __________________ *{...And indeed it is a Book of exalted power. No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: It is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise.*} [Fussilat: 41-42] Islamic Newsletters:** http://www.islamleicester.com/Conten...7/Default.aspx If I make a mistake then please correct me, and if I have said something wrong then please forgive me.

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- Serene - RelyingOnlyOnAllaah~ Status: Offline Posts: 13,513 Reputation: 44392 Rep Power: 84 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Jus restin..as a traveller..in the shade of a tree..until I reach my destination = Jannah (Ameen)... Way of Life: Muslim	Re: Hello to you! - 05-11-2008 Peace! <