A Question for Muslims

I consider myself an atheistic "satanist" and have no convictions as far as the religious world or it's religions but feel it is important to at least familiarize myself with some of the basic teachings of those systems since they have so much impact on our societies and our world and through a genuine personal interest. In that regard I borrowed a copy of "The Noble Quran" from my local library. I couldn't find a ISBN# but Amazon.com has the same book here. http://www.amazon.com/Noble-Quran-Muhammad-M-Khan/dp/996074079X/sr=8-1/qid=1171736162/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-5955470-3509654?ie=UTF8&s=books

My question is if you have read this particular version, it's translation into english and the descriptions of the meanings of the passages- how accurate is this to what is printed and meant in the Arabic version? If you feel this book and it's summaries are innaccurate, enlighten me as to what you feel is more accurate and representative of Islam as a whole.

I am hoping the same debates that occur over different translations and interpretations of the holy bible and what is truly meant do not occur here, I guess I will see.

Hello Dr. Nosophorus:

Today there are at least 40 different English translations of The Qur'an, and the Muhsin Khan translation is one of the mainstream translations

However, it does have its drawbacks, and I personally don't think it's the best translation available

The one I find easier to read with less footnotes and better English is the translation of Saheeh International (Al-Muntada Al-Islami)

This is an on-line version of Al-Muntada which you may wish to compare with Muhsin Khan in cases where the meaning is not clear:

http://www.islambasics.com/view.php?bkID=120

If you have any questions, please post, but for debates we would have to go over to the debates forum, as this is the learning zone as you know

All the best

I have no interest in debates over it at this point and may never, Islam is not ingrained in U.S. society to the point Judeo- Christianity seems to be so politically and socially it doesn't carry the same overall impact, it doesn't really affect us that way. My interest comes from a genuine want to expand my knowledge base, and would rather have those that do know and understand the religion point me in the right direction as to where to start (or in this case) give me their opinion on whether the starting point I chose is a good one and if not, give alternatives. Thank you for your input.

i prefer the abdullah yusuf ali translation. this site has a couple translations and a search index. http://info.uah.edu/msa/quran.html

peace

Dr. Nosophoros said:

My interest comes from a genuine want to expand my knowledge base, and would rather have those that do know and understand the religion point me in the right direction as to where to start (or in this case) give me their opinion on whether the starting point I chose is a good one and if not, give alternatives. Thank you for your input.

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That's a good approach, you're most welcomed

All the best

1 of all the holy quran stand as languistique meracles ask even non muslims arabs to tell you aboute his style it just soo biautiful and huge nations learn arabik just to understand it like malysia all of nothe of africa soo believe me it worth it
2 the holy quran have the protection of god becausse mohamed is the laste messenger of god for all mankind god promise him that coran will not suffer anny changes like the first revlation did

I dont like that translation very much although it has its strengths. But it adds too much between paranthesis, much of it interpretation and not in the Arabic. Im not against interpreting, but doing so with such short phrases defeats the purpose. Might as well have interpretation separately at the end of the page or something.

I dont think theres any translation in particular that I like. Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

Dr. Nosophoros said:

My question is if you have read this particular version, it's translation into english and the descriptions of the meanings of the passages- how accurate is this to what is printed and meant in the Arabic version? If you feel this book and it's summaries are innaccurate, enlighten me as to what you feel is more accurate and representative of Islam as a whole.

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Hi Dr. Nosophoros.

The first thing i will ask is that have you ever learnt or do you know another language? If not then i will say this much Arabic is darn difficult to grasp if English is your first and only language. Modern English is primitive and that's where its strength lies anyone can speak it however to fully express yourself even German is better e.g. in German there are 3 The's Der Die Das, masculine, feminine and neuter, in Arabic there are 7 (i know of) in English just ONE.

Thus in German das Tor is different from der Tor (the gate, the fool), the Quran has allegories, ironies etc which translated don't really hold as much sway in English.

Thus your question - if this is a good translation? No none of the translations in English even scrape the Arabic versions.

However if you cant speak another language your stuck with English! In this case i would try and read a version that incorporates a bit of middle English (e.g. Thine, thou, thie) the only version i find that are both accurate (as can be) and has this feature is from Marmaduke Pickthall's Quran translation.

Salaam

While also reading the Quran I recommend you read the commentary/analysis of the Quran available here. I am sure you will find it helpful.

Regards

Assalamualaikum.

Wide range of translations, commentaries, and an excellent searching system ... all online at

The Holy Quran

I like the free minds version, myself.

Bob Dixon said:

I like the free minds version, myself.

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I like it too... It's just not as poetic as I would have hoped it would be.

Gaura Priya said:

I like it too... It's just not as poetic as I would have hoped it would be.

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True enough. But I think that taking a poem in one language and trying to translate it into another language while keeping its poecy is very difficult and often cannot be done. Much better to give a good translation, if people want poetry, they'll read the original.

Bob Dixon said:

True enough. But I think that taking a poem in one language and trying to translate it into another language while keeping its poecy is very difficult and often cannot be done. Much better to give a good translation, if people want poetry, they'll read the original.

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But there can be a balance to them both. Even the usage of archaic language does lend itself to a higher register of English than what we're used to, and for that reason, I like utilising the Pickthall translation, as it is not too far from the same style as the American Standard Version of the Bible, or the Baha'i Writings.

Gaura Priya said:

But there can be a balance to them both. Even the usage of archaic language does lend itself to a higher register of English than what we're used to, and for that reason, I like utilising the Pickthall translation, as it is not too far from the same style as the American Standard Version of the Bible, or the Baha'i Writings.

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Indeed! On that, I will agree.
But it needs to be readable and accessible, too.