Except for Huroof Muqatta’at, All Verses of Quran Can be Translated

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Except for Huroof Muqatta’at, All Verses of Quran Can be Translated

Except for Huroof Muqatta’at, all the verses of the Quran can be translated into any language, an Indian Islamic scholar and translator of the Quran into English, said.

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan added, though, that no translation can be treated as the Quran.

In an interview with the Iranian Quran News Agency, he answered questions about translation of the Quran:

Q: Taking into account that the holy Quran is the Word of God, how is it possible, or allowed, for us to translate it into other languages?

A: The Quran is the word of God, the Creator of all mankind. As such, the Quran is revealed for all mankind. This is why Muslim scholars, the Ulama, have held the translation of the Quran to be lawful, for those who do not know the Arabic language.

Translation of the Quran into any language is simply a translation; it is not a substitute for the text of the Quran. If someone claimed that his translation was a substitute for the Quranic text, then that would be objectionable. When the Arabic text is intact, there is no possibility that people would consider a translation to be the Quran itself, so the translation of the Quran is quite permissible if done for the purpose of acquainting those who have no access to the Arabic language with the message of the Quran.

Q: Are there any verses of the Quran that cannot be translated?

A: Except for Huroof Muqatta’at, all the verses of the Quran can be translated into any language. But no translation can be treated as Al Quran.

Q: Many Muslims and non-Muslims interested in Islam do not know Arabic. To what extent can they rely on translations?

A: If non-Muslims have a genuine excuse, they can rely on translations but, if they have no excuse, then they must try to learn Arabic, at least to the extent that they are able to understand the basic meaning of the Quran.

Q: There are already numerous English translations of the Quran. Do you see any need for new translations?

A: To the best of my knowledge, there was a need for a new translation and I have done that new English translation of the Quran. By comparing my translation with other translations, you can understand the difference. There is greater clarity in this translation.

Q: In order to render an accurate and reliable translation of the Quran, what qualifications should the translator have?

A: He should have a scholarly knowledge of the Arabic language as well as English idiomatic usage and be familiar with all those disciplines, which are called ilm-e-tafsir. In addition he must offer prayers (dua).

Q: What are the problems a translator of the Quran may face in today’s world?

A: He must be thoroughly acquainted with the modern idiom in order to address the modern mind.

Q: How do you evaluate contemporary translations of the Quran compared with those rendered in the past?

A: Almost all the earlier translations have some common shortcomings, such as the use of an antiquated style, lack of clarity, lack of simplicity, etc.

Q: What is your idea about a team of translators and scholars translating the Holy Book?

A: According to my experience, for a good translation, a team is necessary. This team should not comprise of professionals but of dedicated persons.

Q: To what extent can syntactic, semantic, and phonological aspects of the original text be preserved in translation of the Quran?

A: In any translation, any attempt to reproduce syntactical parallels would reduce the final result to gibberish. Phonological similarities are impossible between English and Arabic because of their very different phonetics and philological origins. We are satisfied that, after exhaustive studies, we have conveyed the exact meaning of the Quran in our translation and , since it is the message of the Quran which is of prime importance, we feel that references to phonology and syntax are irrelevant.

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is an Islamic scholar and the founder of the Centre for Peace and Spirituality International. To learn more about his ideas and activities, visit www.cpsglobal.org.
CPS International