View Full Version : Most accurate Koran translation
Streck-Fu
12-14-2009, 18:59
After reading many threads on many subjects, it appears that at least some of you have read the Koran for yourself. I would like to read the text for myself but want to be sure to get an accurate (as possible) translation.
Is there a particular translation that captures the intent of the text as well as literal translation? I have never actually read the Koran and thought it about time to actually see what is written and meant rather than relying on what others tell me is written.
There are a large number of hits for' Koran' when searching but only a few for 'Koran Translation' with no mention of a specific translator. It appears that on Amazon, this version is the best rated (for what that is worth). LINK (http://www.amazon.com/Quran-Translation-Sayed-Razwy/dp/1879402297/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260839103&sr=1-3)
If my search terms were weak, I apologize.
Thank you,
Daniel
“…I would like to read the text for myself…”
FWIW, not only is the Qur’an necessary to understand the religion of Islam, the historical words and deeds of Islam’s prophet must be studied as well - along with what is articulated by the ulema (theologian-scholars).
Yusuf Ali (Saudi-endorsed) and Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall are outstanding English translations and are recognized by Islamic scholars as such. For online references, here are a few…
http://qb.gomen.org/QuranBrowser/
http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/
USC has an online edition:
http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/quran/
Average Muslims, much like Christians do not read their own “religious” books. For the most part, they accept what the mullahs or their parents told them about Islam without bothering to do the research for themselves. When you start reading the Qur’an and Hadith, you’ll find the text of Islam is undoubtedly the supreme manual of intimidation, vengeance, terror, violence, and a template for war against non-Muslims.
Here is a pretty decent article regarding the assessment of English translations of the Qur’an:
http://www.meforum.org/717/assessing-english-translations-of-the-quran
For an in-depth manual of Islamic law based on the Shafi'i school of thought, this book is invaluable since there is no disagreement among some of Islam’s most notable scholars:
http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Traveller-Classic-Islamic-Al-Salik/dp/0915957728
Good luck with you research…
Streck-Fu
12-15-2009, 06:00
FWIW, not only is the Qur’an necessary to understand the religion of Islam, the historical words and deeds of Islam’s prophet must be studied as well - along with what is articulated by the ulema (theologian-scholars).
That is what I am planning to do.
Thank you for your response. I really appreciate the additional links for research.
How regarded is the online USC version?
Warrior-Mentor
12-15-2009, 16:35
Per Robert Spencer, this isn't bad a bad one:
http://www.amazon.com/Quran-English-Translation-Commentary-Arabic/dp/091332101X/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260916290&sr=1-8
According to Spencer, a couple of the more radical lines are watered down Example "...beat your wife" adds the word "lightly" which isn't in the original arabic.
Nonie Darwish spoke very highly of the version available at http://prophetofdoom.net/
Unitil I heard it from her, I had a hard time knowing the sites accuracy, but I respect Nonie and she was dead serious when she said it was the most accurate translation she had found online.
... and Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall …
That is the one who wrote my copy.
I think Khomeini was quoting the Koran when he said "One pebble is sufficient to wipe the anus."
I'm sure it's just chock full of similar gems.
I know a jihadist wouldn't think twice about camouflaging himself as a Christian in order to kill infidels; I'm pretty sure that's in the book, as well.
Which is spooky.