Hulk
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Are you referring to the Mukhamat and Mutashabihat?
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Are you referring to the Mukhamat and Mutashabihat?
Al-manar
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according to the Literal school ,those attributes are in one sense Muhkamat (the Arabic words used has to be literal and clear ) and in another Mutashabihat (the way they are applied to the divine is unknown and above the human mind )....
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I'd like to add to that YusufAli a shiite and afavorited by them-- it is said that shakir used his translation and modernized the language.
Also I'd like to add that being a translator doesn't render one a scholar.
and lastly I am not sure that is what the OP needs anyway, as reading the Quran with the state of mind he displays on the forum will render the whole experience moot.
My English translation of the Qur'an is quite good, in my opinion. At least it reads clear without the 'Thees and Thous' style the Gospels were always done in which confused more than anything. (Former Catholic, now Muslim). I have no idea however if there is a downloadable version. I like having a book in my heads so I can read it anywhere I like, not just on the computer. It also has parallel Arabic script so at least I can try to read the script in the future. Its done by M.A.S Abdel Haleem.
Wa alaikum assalam, on this I agree. I believe that there are some things that we are not meant to be understood and that we err in too much discourse on what is not clear. I agree that there is room for both to be right as long as we don't negate Allah's (swt) attributes (hands, face, throne) nor liken them to anything in this created world.
PouringRain
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I would suggest reading a couple of surah from different translations and decide which seems to be the easiest and clearest for you to read an understand. Then, after selecting one, read that one, but if there are places where it seems unclear, then refer to several other translations to determine if you can clear up what seemed unclear. If there are things that are still unclear or things you have questions about, then ask questions of others. Tafisr is good for explanations, but I have found the on-line tafsir to be difficult to read alongside a Qur'an. I have found some good on-line tafsir, but they are really not user friendly, imo. I have found more benefit from asking others my specific question, and then others who are more knowledgeable or have good tafsir at home are able to answer the questions.
My personal favorite translation is Yusuf Ali. The translation I am currently reading is “The Gracious Qur’an: A Modern Phrased Interpretation in English” by Dr. Ahmad Zaki Hammad. It is reader-friendly, but I have come across some places that are really poorly worded/ phrased and I have to consult other translations to figure out what is really being said.
Why don't you open a thread for your Qur'an reading questions, and as you read through you can make note of your progress and also any questions or comments you may have on the reading. That way others can answer your questions as you go and can make comments that might be beneficial to your understanding.
My personal favorite translation is Yusuf Ali. The translation I am currently reading is “The Gracious Qur’an: A Modern Phrased Interpretation in English” by Dr. Ahmad Zaki Hammad. It is reader-friendly, but I have come across some places that are really poorly worded/ phrased and I have to consult other translations to figure out what is really being said.
Why don't you open a thread for your Qur'an reading questions, and as you read through you can make note of your progress and also any questions or comments you may have on the reading. That way others can answer your questions as you go and can make comments that might be beneficial to your understanding.
Hulk
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The problem with "understanding" is that a lot of the times we think we can differentiate between what we understand an what we don't understand but we might end up misunderstanding thinking we understand ;D. This is why I feel that it is important to have some form of exegesis to read alongside if we are trying to read on our own.
Even in arabic, the Quran was taught by the Prophet pbuh. It wasn't just some text that was given to the Arabs, even they asked questions regarding it. So for us to think that we can read a translation on our own and get a full understanding is kind of silly.
I like what you said about asking those more knowledgable than us, that is how it should be. The best way would be to attend a class but I'm sure not everyone is as "enthusiastic".
There are some things that a clear in the Quran and some things that aren't. Some have more than a single understanding. Some can be understood even deeper if one has certain knowledge before reading.
'He it is who has sent down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the book: others are allegorical, that is those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its hidden meanings except God and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in the book; the whole of it is from our Lord;" and none will grasp the message except men of understanding'
Al Qur'an 3:7.
Basically, if we approach the book with a closed heart then it is unlikely we would be able to find benefit. The book itself has stated that some are guided by it and some are led astray. I don't have the verse right now but it's there. God knows best.
Also sometimes he uses 'big words' that I have to look up the meaning.
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Quite sure..
This is a shia site for the Quran all the translation and commentator 'pooya Ali' with the exception of Pickthal are shias http://quran.**************/
You'll even see with verses to do with division and creating shiites sect that Pooya says those who stray from 'ahel al byet' a favorite rendition amongst them and of course they think that we're the ones astray.. since Ahel al bayet includes hasan and hussain but excludes Aisha ra and the sahaba. They're an interesting bunch but I thought you already knew?
Even snakelegs knew about that and commented once that the site she always used to read different translations turned out to be a shia one..
لميس;1521279 said:
Well that really sucks. That's the English translation that gets passed around quite a lot here. Even the local masjid here gives visiting non-Muslims his translation of the Quran and it's not a shitte masjid.
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I think he has done a good job as a translator, he did the best to his abilities I have had a look at quite a few translations. My personal favorite is Muhammad Asad who was a Jew and converted but even he has made major errors although he lived with Bedouins and got the translation almost immaculate in some areas, his commentary many times was off. Which again proves my point that being a translator doesn't render one a scholar.
That we should seek that from ahel al'ilm.
I think a member here recommended reading ibn kathir or some sort of commentary along with the verses and indeed I think that is important especially when just starting out. I myself a native Arabic speaker find myself learning something new everyday reading or listening to lectures.
No, I didn't know, but it makes sense now that I borrowed this translation from my Iranian (Shia) room mate in 1981. I haven't heard anything negative about the Yusuf Ali translation per se, only that some of his commentary notes were off with a sufi leaning.لميس;1521362 said:
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Yes his translation is totally fine, most translators even those that are Sunni & whom we take for granted their excellence should be commended for their effort. There's no way to fully translate the Noble Quran that will render its true meaning or significance as the original tongue, more than what is obvious is lost in the translation and I definitely recommend an accompaniment to explain things. Asad has probably one of the best translations as I stated above but I wouldn't adhere to his commentary but what is good about him is that he writes several point of views and suggests why he leans toward a particular one. Some of the verses that are completely erroneously translated by others are right on with him, but at the same time if you take his commentary on suret Al'Israa' or al'kahf I feel they're totally off. To begin with I believe both suras speak of signs which haven't happened yet, however he renders them with explanations of historical things that occurred which I believe are completely off. In fact I was just listening to a lecture about that in some random video about the virtues of making fajr on time..
You learn about different things in the oddest of places and not when looking for them even. And Islam is certainly an ongoing learning experience..
IslamicRevival
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I wish i had your incredible willingness to read and learn Bro FreakOfALeash, My hat goes off to you.
I'm of the view an average person can not interpretate the Quran accurately, no matter how good the translation is. Maybe its time to sit down with an Islamic Scholar, who has spent his life studying the Quran to gain more of an understanding
Just my two cents
Yeah. I didn't know either. But I guess that makes sense since the copy I got was an updated and edited version of his translation and also had no commentary. Just makes me want to learn Arabic even more now so I can read the real thing.
BadOlPuttyTat
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dude i listened to my teachers always and would always bunker down and learn. It is how i got a university college acceptance at 5th grade. I have no social life (I thank god for it) and all I do is read and end up knowing everything.
I really have no issues understanding the Quran as I am use to such prose. I like old literature so this isnt that hard but I notice that when I compare it to other translations a few good words are missing. Pickthall translation will say "he" but who is "he". I change translations and i can clearly see he meant "Allah". So sometimes you can loose the subject matter.