Translation help

BadOlPuttyTat

BadOlPuttyTat

Elite Member
Messages
311
Reaction score
34
Gender
Male
Religion
Pagan
what english translation of the Quran is best recommended? I am half way through the Quran on the Pickthal translation. It kinda leaves quite a few gaps honestly in words meaning you have to imagine some of the rest. I am use to reading this sort of script but I wish to know would this translation make a difference in how the Quran is interpreted for me?
 
Last edited:
FreakOffALeash said:
what english translation of the Quran is best recommended? I am half way through the Quran on the Pickthal translation. It kinda leaves quite a few gaps honestly in words meaning you have to imagine some of the rest.
Click to expand...




examples,plz?

regards
 
Isn't Sahi International supposed to be the best one? Allahu alam.
 
Check this out. Includes Quranic dictionary and word by word translation (Find in tab at top of page). Includes Sahi International translation.. said to be the most modern form.

http://quran.com/1
 
Haafizah said:
See all authentic translations here. I would recommend Shakir:

www.quran.com
Click to expand...

Any idea why Shakir in his translation of Ayatul Kursi (to give an example) has translated the word 'Kursi' which means (chair/throne/seat etc in Arabic) as 'knowledge' when all the other translators seem to have given the literal meaning of the word?


Shakir:
Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the Everliving, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist; slumber does not overtake Him nor sleep; whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His; who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot comprehend anything out of His knowledge except what He pleases, His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not, and He is the Most High, the Great.



Sahih International
Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.



Muhsin Khan
Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter . And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. [This Verse 2:255 is called Ayat-ul-Kursi.]



Pickthall
Allah! There is no deity save Him, the Alive, the Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by His leave? He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His throne includeth the heavens and the earth, and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the Sublime, the Tremendous.



Yusuf Ali
Allah! There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).


Dr. Ghali
Allah. There is no god except He, The Ever-Living, The Superb Upright Sustainer. Slumber does not overtake Him, nor sleep; to Him (belongs) whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Who is there that intercedes for His Providence except by His Permission? He knows whatever is in front of them (Literally: between their hands) and whatever is behind them, and they do not encompass anything of His Knowledge except whatever He has decided. His Chair embraces the heavens and the earth; the preserving of them (Literally: them both) does not tire Him; and He is The Ever-Exalted, The Ever-Magnificent.
​



​
 
Last edited:
what you need to read alongside it is a tafsir (exegesis) which will explain the verses to you
 
Snowflake said:
Any idea why Shakir in his translation of Ayatul Kursi (to give an example) has translated the word 'Kursi' which means (chair/throne/seat etc in Arabic) as 'knowledge' when all the other translators seem to have given the literal meaning of the word?
Click to expand...

You and I are not scholars, and you need to chill.
 
Last edited:
Haafizah said:
You and I are not scholars, and you need to chill.
Click to expand...

Why are you so offended sis? It's not your personal translation that I questioned. And questioned it because it is a matter of the Quran in which there should be no room for mistakes. So if we suspect something or do not understand we raise the point so that someone might be able to give an explanation if there is one. So take it easy. I wasn't attacking you in any way or form.
 
Snowflake said:
And questioned it because it is a matter of the Quran in which there should be no room for mistakes.
Click to expand...

Hence Shakir was a scholar, and we are not scholars. That's it. We don't have to point out mistakes of scholars who had WAY more knowledge than us, we don't have that right!!!
 
M.H. Shakir was a shi'a, and his translation is a favourite amongst the shi'as because the wording he uses in his translation of certain verses lends them credence to their doctrines, and in the hard copy footnotes of certain editions, he says that certain verses are referring to Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Hussain (may Allah be pleased with them). Some copies have a reference list in the front which includes a list of verses he has translated which support the Shi'a ithna asharia doctrine.

I would use more than one translation, Pickthall's good even though the English is slightly old style, so is Saheeh International which is in more modern English as sister Snowflake mentioned, Muhsin Khan is also good, but has extensive use of parentheses. Those are my top three. Certainly don't stick to one translation and use a few alongside each other. The website sis Haafizah mentioned is good, as you can tick which ones you want to use on the side.
 
Last edited:
All I am saying sis Insaanah, is that us people need to calm down. We spend too much time dwelling into little things, when we could be dwelling on our state in the Aakhirah. Some people have too much time where they don't work and just sit on the computer, when they could be doing other things to benefit them.
 
:sl:

I believe the sister was making a valid point that she felt was important, just like others make points they feel are important.

Inshaa'Allah we all have sabr with each other.

And so, back to the topic...
 
Last edited:
:sl:

Insaanah said:
:sl:

I believe the sister was making a valid point that she felt was important, just like others make points they feel are important.

..
Click to expand...

Thank you sis ......that is how a good,responsible moderator should be ... to make the matter perfect ,is to use the delete button for any post that addresses the person not the point ...... if continued ,then should be disabled without any hesitation... rules are above emotions and friendships ...


Insaanah said:
M.H. Shakir was a shi'a
Click to expand...
In spite of that ,the metaphorical rendering to the verse ,brought by descent sis Snowflake was held by lots of sunni muslims in past and present ....


Insaanah said:
I would use more than one translation, Pickthall's good even though the English is slightly old style, so is Saheeh International which is in more modern English as sister Snowflake mentioned, Muhsin Khan is also good, but has extensive use of parentheses. Those are my top three.
Click to expand...

I remember that once I had the impression that Pickthall's is one of the weakest when I compared his to others in certain verses ... I will share some when they are present in my mind ,and remember...

anyway though his loose expressions sometimes, I began to admire T.B.Irving's , and though my admiration of Asad's ,I'm not satisfied by his over use of the metaphorical understanding...

Insaanah said:
Certainly don't stick to one translation and use a few alongside each other.
Click to expand...
exactly...

:sl:
 
Last edited:
I read 3 different translations and all are amazing.The Quran i have now is with the translation of Mulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi which is awsome and his translation is a little poetic,very facinating but if i want to be more clear in meanings,i prefer Mulana Abul Ala Mududdi.His translation is very simple,clear and easy to understand and you hardly need to look into the explanation.

And if you want good explanation,Mariful Quran is the best near me.I can't tell you how amazing it is to explore this world with Mufti Shafi Usmani.

If you want,you can find the translation of Mulana Mududi here.It is with Arabic text and word to word translation and explanation is also available.

http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura=1

If you want to read translation and explanation by Mufti Shafi Usmani,look at the options above."Maarif" is the link to his work.
 
Endymion said:
And if you want good explanation,Mariful Quran is the best near me.I can't tell you how amazing it is to explore this world with Mufti Shafi Usmani.
Click to expand...

It is the one I linked to above, I haven't finished it myself but it really is incredible.
 
Snowflake said:
Any idea why Shakir in his translation of Ayatul Kursi (to give an example) has translated the word 'Kursi' which means (chair/throne/seat etc in Arabic) as 'knowledge' when all the other translators seem to have given the literal meaning of the word?
Click to expand...
You make a valid point. The Majestic Quran translates it as 'Pedestal' and the Glorious Quran translates it as 'Seat of Divinity'. The translation of the Quran from Arabic into another language is often flavored by the translator's own personal understanding and as such it is susceptible to having differences in the words chosen that can significantly alter the meaning. In this case, I would say that 'Knowledge' was not a good one to use as it denies the idea of a physical entity in the same manner as referring to Allah's hand in a figurative or symbolic sense as opposed to a literal meaning. These are mysteries of meaning, but I think we err in ascribing a figurative (e.g. knowledge) meaning in the translation as opposed to a literal (throne) meaning of the Arabic word. And Allah knows best the meaning.
 
Insaanah said:
Muhsin Khan is also good, but has extensive use of parentheses.
Click to expand...
For this reason, I find this translation difficult to read. Another point is the portion in parenthesis is not a literal translation, but rather interpretative inserts by the translator - again that is flavored by understanding and theological background. I personally avoid reading this translation unless there is no avoiding it as in Masjid Al-Haram when on hajj or umrah.
 
:sl:
MustafaMc said:
In this case, I would say that 'Knowledge' was not a good one to use as it denies the idea of a physical entity in the same manner as referring to Allah's hand in a figurative or symbolic sense as opposed to a literal meaning. These are mysteries of meaning, but I think we err in ascribing a figurative (e.g. knowledge) meaning in the translation as opposed to a literal (throne) meaning of the Arabic word. And Allah knows best the meaning.
Click to expand...

My own opinion agree with you in your concluded statement "Allah knows best the meaning" ...

still I would quote what I think the greatest word I ever read ,that concluded the controversy of the literal school vs the metaphorical school (this school is most popular in the Muslim academic scene) and their understanding regarding the divine attributes ...

"the literal way is safer, but the the metaphorical way is wiser"

May Allah bless those adherents to the literal understanding ,for their care to be stuck to the literal sense ,affirming what Allah described himself with literally ...

on the other hand may Allah bless those adherents to the metaphorical understanding ,for their noble intention to understand the verses in terms they see as more proper for the almighty...

for me it is not a matter of right and wrong ,as long as we all held firmly to basic rule...

There is nothing like Him (Allah) [Holy Quran 42:11]

I had intensive reading of the work of the literal school and the counter work of the metaphorical school......
they both have a substance, ..... but I finally held the in between position .....
Day of judgment is the only time to find out the real meaning of such attributes....

And Allah knows best

:sl:
 
Last edited:

Similar Threads

Back
Top