A Critical Evaluation of Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Muhsin Khan’s Translation

[azc]

By – Zaidan Ali Jassem

Department of English Language and Translation, Qassim University, Buraidah, KSA

Abstract:

This paper aims to critically evaluate Al-Hilali and Khan’s translation of the Holy Quran on several levels of linguistic and non-linguistic analysis. Although the study covers the whole work, the data consists of 261 instances which markedly diverge from normal English usage. The results indicate thatthe translation is replete with errors grammatically, lexically, stylistically, and discoursally. The errors are due to language transfer, overgeneralizations, ignorance of rule restrictions, and language/faith loyalty. The main conclusion is that while the translators tried very hard to present a factually accurate and linguistically faithful translation into English, the end product was too literal and so of no good practical value. The English is not only weak and awkward but also repels the reader from the text, thus discouraging him to carry on the joy of reading and learning.
http://www.darultahqiq.com/the-noble-quran-a-critical-evaluation-of-al-hilali-and-khans-translation/

 

[Abz2000]

It still falls within the top rankings in terms of overall accuracy and after 13 years of regular use of various translations (mainly Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Picktall, and Khan+Hilali - i found T.B irving useful on certain difficult words where multiple opinions were required) here's my humble take on it:
I used to initially criticize the heavy use of brackets in khan+hilali (having grown up learning to be suspicious of people's regular wrong explanations or misleading interpretations of events), however, after spending time reading to the children - i've come to see them as useful for people new to Islamic terminology. Although the brackets do sometimes narrow a vast word, they also allow the interpreter to give more explanations to certain jawame al kalim words.
They also help in involving anyone reading at any given time the interpreters' understanding of the given verse.

No language rendering can be the same as Arabic, however they are a good window into the understanding of trustworthy scholars - and the translations of trustworthy scholars are necessary for those unfamiliar with Islam and the Arabic language.

I attempted to translate Surah al Baqarah myself in 2006/2007/2008 for the sake of study and pondering deeply on each verse whilst wrestling with words - (translating a language that is not one's first tongue requires a pause and dictionary + mulitple translation reasearch at every unfamiliar or tricky word) and easily gained the understanding that even the best scholar+linguist simply cannot capture the full texture of the Quran even with a bloated end result - and sometimes - the more you bloat it, the less readable it becomes.
After those experiences, i came to have more respect for the interpreters i mentioned above - and i pray that Allah rewards them with good in this world and in eternity - and a deeper respect for and awe of the Quran


لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Muhammad Asad
HAD WE bestowed this Qur’an from on high upon a mountain, thou wouldst indeed see it humbling itself, breaking asunder for awe of God. And [all] such parables We propound unto men, so that they might [learn to] think.

M. M. Pickthall
If We had caused this Qur'an to descend upon a mountain, thou (O Muhammad) verily hadst seen it humbled, rent asunder by the fear of Allah. Such similitudes coin We for mankind that haply they may reflect.

Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, verily, thou wouldst have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of Allah. Such are the similitudes which We propound to men, that they may reflect.





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وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ أَأَعْجَمِيٌّ وَعَرَبِيٌّ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى أُولَٰئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ


Muhammad Asad
Now if We had willed this [divine writ] to be a discourse in a non-Arabic tongue, they [who now reject it] would surely have said, “Why is it that its messages have not been spelled out clearly? Why - [a message in] a non-Arabic tongue, and [its bearer] an Arab?” Say: “Unto all who have attained to faith, this [divine writ] is a guidance and a source of health; but as for those who will not believe - in their ears is deafness, and so it remains obscure to them: they are [like people who are] being called from too far away.

M. M. Pickthall
And if We had appointed it a Lecture in a foreign tongue they would assuredly have said: If only its verses were expounded (so that we might understand)? What! A foreign tongue and an Arab? - Say unto them (O Muhammad): For those who believe it is a guidance and a healing; and as for those who disbelieve, there is a deafness in their ears, and it is blindness for them. Such are called to from afar.

Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
Had We sent this as a Qur'an (in the language) other than Arabic, they would have said: "Why are not its verses explained in detail? What! (a Book) not in Arabic and (a Messenger an Arab?" Say: "It is a Guide and a Healing to those who believe; and for those who believe not, there is a deafness in their ears, and it is blindness in their (eyes): They are (as it were) being called from a place far distant!"

 

[Abz2000]

With all that said, i still think that Yusuf Ali's translation (despite it's many flaws) with modern English (in place of ye olde thee thy thou thum) has the smoothest and most magnificent read.

And official dawah publications would do better to choose a higher quality, smoother, and more accurate piece than the khan hilali version - coz that one reeks of "i smell the blood of a christian or jew" right from al Faathihah.
But as a study guide, it is highly detailed and gives meaning to many mis-interpretable words - and is a useful book for the initiated in terms of pointed and direct explanations.


https://ctc.usma.edu/the-enduring-appeal-of-al-awlaqis-constants-on-the-path-of-jihad/

 

[Alamgir]

Asalamu Alaikum

Another attempt by the liberals to try and "modernise" our religion by removing/modifying things they don't like.

This isn't their first and it won't be their last, but like always, their attempts will be in vain.

 

[Abz2000]

Asalamu Alaikum

Another attempt by the liberals to try and "modernise" our religion by removing/modifying things they don't like.

This isn't their first and it won't be their last, but like always, their attempts will be in vain.

When reading to my children, i can't find a better copy to read from - the brackets then become a Godsend. But that's not how it felt as a mild westernern secular tv indoctrinated oblivious sort of Muslim lol.

 

[Alamgir]

When reading to my children, i can't find a better copy to read from - the brackets then become a Godsend. But that's not how it felt as a mild westernern secular tv indoctrinated oblivious sort of Muslim lol.

It's not the best English interpretation of the Quran to start off with, I'd recommend something a little lighter like Marmaduke Pickthall for first time readers otherwise (as you said) they might be dettered from Islam.

I think Marmaduke Pickthall should be the standard copy, the Noble version is better for Muslims with a better grip on the religion.

 

[Abz2000]

It's not the best English interpretation of the Quran to start off with, I'd recommend something a little lighter like Marmaduke Pickthall for first time readers otherwise (as you said) they might be dettered from Islam.

I think Marmaduke Pickthall should be the standard copy, the Noble version is better for Muslims with a better grip on the religion.

I think Marmaduke Picktall is highly accurate in comparison to others i've read, it's very literal and even attempts even to fit the English words in the order of the Arabic even though the words in sentences in each language sometimes read in a different order.
But Yusuf Ali reads majestically smooth - my preferred linguistic style, though i often need to switch to Picktall when quoting online simply for the sake of accuracy.

When i read to the kids i usually read directly from the Arabic and not from English since i've come to understand quite a bit of Arabic by Allah's grace - but the khan+hilali brackets are the most useful when i come to those multi dimension words which require further explanation. I've found that it's normally at those words that i have to stop to look down and hey presto - a bracket with a bunch of explanations.