What's the Best English Translation?

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Hello. I plan on reading the Qur'an sometime in the coming months, when my financial situation allows for me to purchase one. While I wait, I may as well get some perspective. I want to be careful my studies are accurate, so reliable translation is key. If I could ask, which English translation is the best? I imagine no English translation will be perfect, but which one is the best? From what I can tell from my research, the majority of Muslims I've seen seem to prefer the Yusuf Ali translation, and I found a copy on amazon that contains commentary as well. That's the version I'm most interested in at present. But just in case, I'd like to ask your perspective. What's the most accurate English translation of the Qur'an?

Also, I'm uncertain as to the status of the Hadith (or is it Hadeeth?). What is its status within Islam? I hear it talked of, but not as much as the Qur'an. Is it considered scripture? Do Muslims believe it to have been a revelation from Allah?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any replies.
 
I personally have read both the Pickthall and Al-Hilali/Khan versions. I find the one by Drs. Al-Hilali and Khan much easier to read (plus they have plenty of explanatory footnotes). Pickthall's version uses what I call "Bible English" in that it contains a lot of "thy" and other archaic words and there are many verses where the English grammar becomes quite entangled and hard to understand at some points what "he" is referring to.
 
There is nothing to worry about your financial problems. Different English Translations are available free of cost. You just need to Google it.
 
Mr. Black said:
Hello. I plan on reading the Qur'an sometime in the coming months, when my financial situation allows for me to purchase one. While I wait, I may as well get some perspective. I want to be careful my studies are accurate, so reliable translation is key. If I could ask, which English translation is the best? I imagine no English translation will be perfect, but which one is the best? From what I can tell from my research, the majority of Muslims I've seen seem to prefer the Yusuf Ali translation, and I found a copy on amazon that contains commentary as well. That's the version I'm most interested in at present. But just in case, I'd like to ask your perspective. What's the most accurate English translation of the Qur'an?

Also, I'm uncertain as to the status of the Hadith (or is it Hadeeth?). What is its status within Islam? I hear it talked of, but not as much as the Qur'an. Is it considered scripture? Do Muslims believe it to have been a revelation from Allah?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any replies.
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Greetings Mr Black,

Thank you for inquiring about our religion. personally, i would avoid Yusuf Ali's translation. most early English translations were based on Pickthall. i'd recommend 2. the first is inexpensive and very readable:

http://al-quraan.org/english-translation-of-the-meanings-of-alquran-with-arabic-p-6.html?zenid=60fc0944865a88b95acf44979229936b

i hope this helps.

ma salama

the second is Muksin Khan:

http://www.noblequran.com/translation/

one of the problems with Ali, is that it is written in similar for to the King James Bible. it ranks high on literary value, but not necessarily accuracy. his "commentary" is not based on scholarship, but his opinion. the first one is very readable and was done by committee. there is a gaff, or 2, in translation, that you, as an English speaker, would catch. but overall, the hardbound edition is very informative. there is a section on the history of early Islam. Muhsin Khan is a translation that works well for research. many Arabic words are offered as multiple translations, so you can see the different readings, depending on how the word is used.
 

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