The Bottom Line: I recommend this for English speakers who do not read Arabic and are interested in knowing first-hand (or as first-hand as possible) the teachings of Islam.
INTRODUCTION
Islam is the fastest growing of the world's major religions. In the past two years, much has been said by the media, religious leaders, and politicians about the beliefs of Islam, especially regarding its teachings regarding peace and war. Some of these pundits I trust more, and some less, but I still believe that if one is to learn about a point of view or belief, the best resource is one who ascribes to it and the basic documents on which that person bases his or her belief.
With that supposition, I have had numerous opportunities in the past year to speak with Muslims, attend Mosque, and read the writings Muslims hold as holy. The primary of these writings is the Qur'an (which you will find, as with most words from languages that use different alphabets or scribings than ours, spelled in many different forms - Koran, Qu'ran, etc). The others are the Hadith, or teachings of Mohommed, which different sects take as holy and authoritative at different levels. I decided to start with the Qur'an, and am now slowly plodding through the Hadith.
One problem I have is that I do not speak Arabic, and thus had to settle with a version in my primary language, English. On a visit to a mosque, I purchased The Qur'an: Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, one of the more common English versions, originally accomplished in 1934. Its title is somewhat misleading, as Muslims regard any rendering of the Qur'an in another language to be an interpretation, not a translation.
TRANSLATION, INTERPRETATION, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE
This idea of interpretation versus translation is a good one, I think, and one that I have begun to apply to all written material "translated" into a different language. Translation would be an accurate term if we were applying a mathematical formula, or perhaps decoding or decyphering an encrypted message. In these cases, each number, letter or word would have one and only one precisely defined translation. An interpretation, on the other hand, is necessary when going from one language to another (or even one dialect to another), because certain words or phrases in the original language either do not have 100% accurate counterparts in the target language or have many possible meanings.
WHAT THIS REVIEW IS NOT
This is not a review on Islam as a religion. That would be more appropriate in the Writer's corner. I am not a Muslim, nor am I in any way likely to become one. However, I believe that researching each others' beliefs is a necessary prerequisite to the dialogue necessary for us to continue living with each other. This is simply a review of this interpretation of the Qur'an.
THE INTERPRETATION
The English is somewhat archaic in today's use. Remember that this was written in 1934. For lack of a better example, I would compare the English to that of the New King James Bible. No "Thy's" and "Thees," but definitely a lot of "verily" and "Nay." Unlike the NKJ, the English is UK English in many of its spellings.
Where the author believed additional words were needed to clarify the intent of the original Qur'an in this English version, he used parentheses to indicate that these words are not in the Arabic, much like some English interpretations of the Bible (New American Standard, for one) use italics. Some examples:
O you who believe! Devour not Usury, doubled and multiplied; but fear Allah; that you may (really) prosper. Surah 3:130
As to those women on whose part you fear diloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly); Surah 4:34c
But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever you find them in every strategem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. Surah 9:5
If you could see, when the angels take the souls of the Unbelievers (at death), (how) they smite their faces and their backs, (saying): "Taste the Penalty of the blazing Fire - " Surah 8:50
And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail his mother bore him, and in two years was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) Goal. Surah 31:14
INDEX
A 42-page index at the back of this book, while not as useful as a stand-alone concordance or similar reference, offers a relatively indepth list of subjects and corresponding verses.
CONSTRUCTION
The version I purchased is a standard paperback - glossy cover with rough, somewhat ivory-colored, paper pageswith visible fibers, and relatively clear and readable printing and font size. The size is similar to most paperback novels, although at 466 pages perhaps a bit thinner.
OVERALL
Again, may I provide the caveat that I do not read the original language and cannot vouch for its integrity. However, this interpretation evidently is esteemed in much of the US Muslim community, and has been a readable research reference for me as I try to understand Islam.
This English translation of the Qur'an is a compilation of the Muslim faith's Final Revelation from God to mankind through the last Prophet Muhammad, ...More at HotBookSale
This English translation of the Qur an is a compilation of the Muslim faith s Final Revelation from God to mankind through the last Prophet Muhammad, ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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