Rating:  Summary: Not a clear translation Review: The author does an admirable job in his translation. However, in the effort to covey Arabic words in English, he uses words that make the reading unusually difficult to follow. Unlike the translation by Rashad Khalifa that flows very well and remains true to the original essence of meaning, this author loses the reader.
Rating:  Summary: The best translation by far. Review: The best method to study the Qur'an is of course to study the Arabic language since it is a complex language. However, reading Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation is a very good place to start. I have the translation of the Qur'an by other authors, none came close to the excellent work by this author.Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation of the Qur'an comes with the Arabic text alongside with the English translation. It is faithful to the text, and the commentary accompanying the text is well written and balanced. This translation is long regarded as the best book to consult by most Muslims.
Rating:  Summary: Better translations available Review: The Quran is a beautiful text. The verses show complicated rhyming schemes, meters, consonance, and alliteration. When read in Arabic, the text has an undeniable flow that lets you anticipate the next verse based on what you are currently hearing. Verses are structured to contrast against one another through simple word replacements. I find myself pausing in awe at times when reciting the Arabic. What makes the Ali translation so unfortunate is more than his questionable interpretations (every translation inevitably cannot convey the full meaning of the arabic), rather its his stubborn attempt at trying to mimic the Bible. Ali convulutes the text by injecting olde english phrases and needless subrodinate clauses to try to replicate the feel you get when reading the New Testament. So instead of getting a smooth reading text, you are left with individual verses that don't mesh together and stand alone. Technically his verses convey the meaning of the Quran, but with none of the grace and style of the original. The Arabic Quran's style is an asset. Ali's english Quran's style is a liability. Other Quran's dispense with the Bible mimicry and give a straight translation. Of those I recommend the Ozek version (Translation committee)<
Rating:  Summary: Not just a holy book, a devine constitution for everyone Review: The quran is not just a holy book that muslims keep, if you read through it you'll find that it's sort of a constitutional guide for everyone. Whether your muslim or not, you're bound to make use of some of it. It's not just about islam as a religion, not just to tell muslims what they HAVE to do and what they MUST not do (as the arabic word 'islam' means submission - to God and his orders). The quran is an essence to what our lives should be like. It handles almost everything. Social and business relations, how to treat those who wrong you and those who support you, how to deal with strangers or non-believers, what to do in your spare time, plus using a fantastic way of giving metaphor examples to clarify meanings. Islam is the only religion that believes in all God-sent prophets and their messages prior to islam. As muslim we HAVE to respect Jesus and Moses. They are mentioned in the Quran in several occasions. I think it's very important for everyone to read this 'holy book'.
Rating:  Summary: Small type point makes reading difficult Review: The size of type (2 or 3pt) used in this book makes it very very difficult to read. I purchased the book because it appears to be an excellent work. Perhaps it is, but the print size is most difficult to see and I, regretfully, had to return the purchase.
Rating:  Summary: ALLAHU AKBAR " GOD IS THE GREATEST" Review: The translation of the arabic text is truly the work of an intelligent human being. Also, it is a great tool for muslims and non-muslims interested in understanding and achieving a closeness to the all mighty.
Rating:  Summary: Great translation, lousy print - recommend amana print Review: The Yusuf Ali translation of the Qur'an has long been considered among the most precise and eloquent renderings of the holy book of Muslims into English. However, I would recommend purchasing the amana publications version of this work, due to its superior print quality and binding. amazon.com thankfully now sells it, its ISBN is 0915957760 . The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an Abdullah Yusuf Ali.
Rating:  Summary: Rattemause write the truth or dont write anything at all! Review: There is only one thing i can agree on with Rattemause, that is that this indeed is a fine translation of The Holy Quran. But everything else you have stated above about the translation is a lie. Let's start from your first "Accessions" [9.30] The Jesw call 'Uzair a son of God, and the Christians call Christ the Son of God. That is a saying from their mouth; (In this) they but imitate, what the Unbelievers of old used to say. God's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth! Now no where in the verse does it say "Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them." So apparently this is lie. And for those of you who are intimaidated from "God's curse" this is not literal this means that the truth was clearly explained and people have still deviated from the right path. God will deal with them in the afterlife, this doesn't give he right to people like Usama bil Ladin to go and kill inocoent civilians Number 2 [8.50] If thos couldst see, when the angels take the souls of the belivers (at death), (How) they smite their faceds and their backs, (saying): "taste the penalty of the blazing fire" No where is the verse does it say "the angels will cause to die those who disbelieve". I think that what Rattemause wrote was a lie! For those of you that are intimated by "blazing fire", doesn't every Holy book promise punishment to the disbelivers. Also a stressed point in The Holy Quran is that no muslim can force their religion on anyone, they are only to inform others about the message of God, and let God deal with them in the afterlife. If you would like to learn more about Islam, I would not recommend Sufism, because they have made a new religion out of Islam. Which is unlawful and unacceptable in Islam. ALL MUSLIMS DO NOT SUPPORT THE ATTACKS ON SEPT. 11. Here is a point that is stressed in The Holy Quran "If you have killed one soul, it is like you have killed all of mankind" Note: Allah is the arabic word for God, Allah is the same god the Christains and the Jews worship.
Rating:  Summary: 23 % of the world population (2005 Guiness World Records) , Review: This book is a very beautiful and well establihed interpretation of the Koran.( There is no translation which can capture its true literary eloquence as a Universally acknowledged World standard in Classical Arabic Literature due to the comlpex root based structure of Arabic - a sister language of Jesus's own tongue - Aramaic)
Arabic is a Semetic Language (like Aramaic)
FIRST : THE ONLY SEMETIC TERM FOR GOD = AaLaH
( see Aramaic Lexicon and Concordance )
Jesus Spoke Aramic ( not English!)
He called God 'AaLaH ' - the only word for GOD in his language
Muhammad Spoke Arabic ( not English!)
He called God 'Allah ' - the only word for GOD in his language
To understand this book fully requires a fairly detailed understanding of the history (to give meaning to the context of some of the verses)as well an appreciation of the original language and style. But a minimum basic understanding may be gained from e.g. Sarwar and Toropov's 'The Koran'. Without some sort of navigation the first time reader will find some of the passages difficult to appreciate.
I recommend this transalation/interpretation as an all-round good rendition.However,there are several other (entirley different ) styles of English translation ranging from King James English to near-current day English translations. All versions give different shades of emphasis on the original Arabic text.( E.g. Aberry , Pickthall, Asad ,Haleem, G.Sale's etc...... to name a few)
There is a great British Tradition in appreciating the Koran:
1. The first ever translation from English direct From Arabic was by the London Lawyer George Sales in 1734 ( with a fabulous 'preliminary discourse' giving the History and background detail...download a free copy from www.manybooks.net !)
2. Marmaduke Pickthall - another Englishman whose translation is now a standard.
3. Arthur J Aberry - Professor of Arabic , Cambride University. Also a standard work.
4. John Penrice - An East Anglian based English Scholar of Arabic who , as far as I am aware has produced one of the best ever 'Dictionary and Glossary of the th Koran' - highly recommended for those who want to understand the original lanugauge of the 7th Century Arabia.
5. Karen Armstrong - an ex-Roman Catholic Nun ,graduate of Oxford University and author of extremely informative historical , popular text ( e.g. A History of God, Islam, a short History and Muhammad , a biography of the Prophet etc..).Her views are balanced and informative, and a good general background read to set the scene for the Koran and its proper interpretation.
6. Michael H Hart 'The 100:A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History' placed Muhammad at first place.Why ? Answer:Read for yourself. The Key of course is.. The Koran.
Finally - I think any reader who wants to read this translation ,provided he is properly prepared and informed will gain a great deal from Yusuf Ali's excellent translation of a very complex and intellectually stimulating , emotionally stirring and fabulously acclaimed Arabic Book
Rating:  Summary: Solid translation; my favourite Review: This is my favourite English translation of the Qur'an, because in my estimation it is the translation that is the most poetic and most beautiful to read. The commentary however, is minimal as compared with some other translations, although I still find it useful and interesting. A caveat for all readers, muslim and non-muslim alike: this is only a translation. It is one man's interpretation of what the Qur'an says, and nothing more. Read several translations if you want to be objective, and learn the arabic if you want to read the real thing. Always keep in mind that any translation is flawed; it cannot and will not capture the full meaning and intent of the original work.
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