I believe the Quran needs to be better translated since current translations lead to wrong ideas. For instance:
"Do not take the Jews and Christians for friends"
(Surah 5:51).
The most accurate translation would be:
"Do not take the Jews and Christians for military allies"
(Surah 5:51).
See how the entire meaning changes that easilly??
Zakir Naik also cited a few places in Yusuf Ali's translation which results in parts of the Quran becoming contrdictory. Also, the transltions are not specific enough. For instance, nowhere in the Quran is the shape of the Earth compared to an ostrich's egg, which is indeed what the Quran was saying!!
One Arabic word can have multiple meanings. We need a better interpretations of the Quran so that youth in foreign nations can have a better idea of the truth.
http://al-mustaqeem.tripod.com/id1.html Scroll to that bottom. And you'll see: Entire 2-year Arabic language syllabus (of all subjects) as studied at the Institute of Arabic Language - Islaamic University of Madeenah
I dont have an Arabic tutor near where I live (I live in a Jewish area). Should I start my reading an Arabic dictionary?
Asalaamu alaykum.
When I first started learning Arabic, the first thing I did was to go through every surah/dua I knew off by heart and learn the meaning of each word I was saying. Since most of us know Surah al-Fatiha plus 'n' number of surahs, we can easily build up a decent vocabulary of just general words.
If you do this along side the lessons online, covering verbs, nouns etc... you'll get a pretty decent idea of Arabic quite quickly.
May I also ask bro, where do you live exactly? Is it in UK?
Aaah, I could have helped you find the nearest teacher if you were in the UK, but alas, you're all the way in the US of A.
Well I pray Allah helps us all our goal of understanding the Quran and becoming better Muslims and may Allah guide all of our neighbours (whether they be Jew, Christian or in my case, Rastafarian).
The problem is that I can't trust translations anymore, as they are misguiding (as you can see from the original post). Arabic words have multiple meanings and I am looking for the way to understand as accurately as possible. Yusuf Ali's translation also leads to contradictions, as shown by Dr. Naik.
The problem is that I can't trust translations anymore, as they are misguiding (as you can see from the original post).
See the right hand link in my sig for references to good translations. eg. Saheeh Int'l, F. Malik. Obviously, none are absolutely perfect, but there are many praiseworthy works.
With regards to mistranslations of verses, it seems to me that you may be confusing different things. You seem to be under the impression that a good translation will enable you to understand all the issues, rulings, conditions, and wisdoms pertaining to a verse. The reality is that even if you knew arabic you would not be able to get all these things by just reading the verse - that's where you need to consult the books of tafsîr which quote other Qur'ânic verses, the teachings and example of the Prophet saws, the understanding of the Sahâba, notes from arabic linguists, etc. to explain the verse. No matter how many ways you translate 'establish salâh', a person will not become knowledgeable about all the issues and rulings pertaining to salâh just by reading that translation.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Surely I was sent to perfect the qualities of righteous character" [Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Mâlik]
Different verses were revealed at different times?
Yes. From time to time Allah revealed a few verses of the quran according to the situation. The verses revealed in Makkah are moslty more simple to understnad as it was the beginning of Islam. Most of the more complicated ones were reveled in Medina.
It is important to understand when nad why a certain surah was reveled to understand the ,eaning of the surah better.
With regards to mistranslations of verses, it seems to me that you may be confusing different things. You seem to be under the impression that a good translation will enable you to understand all the issues, rulings, conditions, and wisdoms pertaining to a verse. The reality is that even if you knew arabic you would not be able to get all these things by just reading the verse - that's where you need to consult the books of tafsîr which quote other Qur'ânic verses, the teachings and example of the Prophet saws, the understanding of the Sahâba, notes from arabic linguists, etc. to explain the verse. No matter how many ways you translate 'establish salâh', a person will not become knowledgeable about all the issues and rulings pertaining to salâh just by reading that translation.
Salaam,
Can you refer me to a good tafsir, one that is very detailed and has commentary of every surah? Who is well known for his tafsir?
The best translations out there now are two: first one by Aisha Bewley and her husband called 'The Quran: a rendering of its meanings in english.' The second called 'The Majestic Quran' translated by Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murad(T.J Winters), together with a small group of scholars.
This matter is of essence for us all. It is of extreme importance at this time when polemics in words have so much arbitrary force, and vast sums of money were caused to be made by black magic within such polemics, that we all consider the very precision of Qur'an as central to Islam.
Yet within that I am in disagreement in totality with Qur'an study, that the only method of accurately transmitting Qur'an can be accorded through learning Arabic. The work of translation is real and valid, and it is a skill that we all need retain certainty in masters of.
That is neither to downplay the original recited and also mushaf form.
But since we are required as Muslims to transmit our Islam, by particpating in the process of assisting accurate translations we are fulfilling this requirement upon us as Muslims. Yet neither need we prevent poorer translators from working in that context. I find that only by placing together at least three different translations can the meaning reach my external mind. So if one person hears Qur'an at one specific density of meaning that suits their Soul and life story, then let them tell that such is true for them. Always all translations must defer to the original, such is the nature of translation.
My own preference is to listen to Qur'an entirely in Arabic; but I know that if many Aboriginal persons were to listen to Qur'an in Arabic, it might be that we all start Dreaming aligned with and then living our lives more aligned with and then, after that, begin to tell our own stories aligned with. Surely this is exactly what has already happened to us at the height of the Islamic Empire?
But now in this modern context in which we have access to the internet as well as lessons in reading words made into vain squiggles on paper, if we are not assisted in forming good translations into Aboriginal languages, but persons exceptionally skilled and familiar with Arabic, then what is it that will get painted etc. once Aborigines begin to listen to Qur'an in full original form again? (there are already painted . . . ) mu'asalam
Within the Realm of King Solomon
Who could have known I was home grown
An accuser's false allegation
Did warrant only my Nation in apology for inconveniences
its shaytan leeches
who accuse
my unconscious sleep
of accusing you too cheep
I will be selling for five times three
centsiblity
Ok i just want to ask..how is it possible that the Qu'ran is the eternal word of God and non Arabic speakers can't understand it?
Why would God make it so difficult ?
The Qu'ran says of itself that it's supposed to be a clear and complete book.
Everything you need to know about serving God allmighty is right in there.
How then is it possible you can't translate it in any other language?
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The Quran needs to be better translated. (OP)
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Don't develop religious tunnel vision. Investigate. 
said, “Anyone who conceals (the defects of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal them (their defects) in this world and in the Hereafter.”
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