The Koran (Penguin Classics)

Rating:
Summary: One of only two acceptable translations
Review: Anyone not raised in a muslim environment will find much Qur'anic material that is extremely objectionable from a moral and/or theological viewpoint; nevertheless, this translation is the best literal English translation available for students of comparative religions. Another translation to consider is M.A.S. Abdel Haleem's Oxford University Press edition: it is less literal, but makes for smoother reading. All of the other translations are simply a waste of time, as they are so awkwardly translated that you won't know whether to laugh or cry.


Rating:
Summary: Not so great
Review: As an Albanian Kosovar, first of all I am an European then a Muslim so nothing like middle-east people - a fact that makes me think that we're more devoted to God then them because in comparison with them we don't do bad things in the name of God and then claim false excuses as some horrible so-called muslims do. I mean according to the Koran I've read people like those who we see in the news will swallow fires into their bellies because they are evil and they just want to justify their ugly deeds by the Holy Book Koran. That's such a crime and I wish people like that all get hugged by the long and unescapable arms of LAW in this life as in the other life they will surely belong to hell for their evil actions against a peaceful and civilised world.
The proof that Koran isn't what the terrorists claim is that since I've read it I've become a different person. I was empathic,peace loving person, good doer to anyone no matter rich or poor, ugly or beautiful - now I am more empathic, and a better person than I ever was and my love for people regardless their religion or beliefs is stronger than ever before. Before I was terrified by the thunder now after I've read the Koran I don't close the curtains and hide from the lightning. I praise God for that and I find a tremendous joy seeing it. Then, I used to get disguisted by almost everything, now I don't make funny faces when I see someone eating lemon like an apple. I have been blessed in so many ways since I've read the Koran.
The Koran is a book of God, so anyone who reads it and understands it as it is not as you would want it to be - will find an enormous joy in life just as I did.
Before I give you some sayings that I took from Koran, I'd like to say that the translation wasn't that bad as some people claimed. "Man are impatient" - says God so perhaps that was the reason why they were so fast with their judgements.
"God does not love evil doers" - 3:51
"Speak for Justice even if it affects your own kinsmen" 6:149
"Help one another in what is good and pious not in what is wicked and sinful" 5:1
"God desires no injustice in mankind" 3:109
Basically, Koran is filled with beautiful and extremely smart saying such as those that I have mentioned...therefore Koran is a delight to the people who feel they have gaps in their lives.
Enjoy

Rating:
Summary: Not so great
Review: Dawood's translation was ok, but as I continued studying the Quran more and more, comparing different translations of it, Dawood goes by the progressive translation. But alas, it finally dawned on me that many muslims of today do not follow the Quran, but mostly rely on Hadith and Sunnah to explain the book! That is why Islam is so misunderstood today. Their own innovations.. It is sad but true, and Dawood also has come to rely on these made-up rules by scholars to explain the Quran in his footnotes. I have stoppped reading his Quran and have gotten the best translated Quran that I know of, by Dr. Khalifa. And it doesn't hurt to continue comparing translations, there is much one can learn by doing so.

Rating:
Summary: More by way of introduction needed
Review: I am not familiar with other translations. I read this translation twice; once some years ago, and again recently. Having done some other reading in the meantime, my reaction was different the second time.
One thing that strikes me is that, in the edition I've looked at, the order of the chapters is changed by the translator to appeal more to the literary tastes of western readers. My impression is that later edition(s) by Dawood may have the original order restored.
The introduction is very short, and deals very little with early Muslim history. A very short chronology of the prophet's life is included, but contains some surprizing entries, such as Dawood's statement that, in the massacre of one of the Jewish clans in Medina, only one man saved his life by converting. I cannot recall another historian who has suggested that the massacre was religious in nature. My understanding is that its origins were political, in the war between Mecca and Medina. (Most all western writers seem to agree on the deplorable nature of the event.) Dawood also states here that the Jews of Khaybar were put to the sword. J. J. Saunders, by contrast, suggests that these were treated with comparative moderation, allowed to work their former lands as tenants, but deprived of ownership thereof.
The expansion of Muslim military power in Arabia during the time of the Koran's composition (a period of over twenty years) was characterized by numerous battles with animist-led armies (those of Mecca and the desert). To a considerable extent, Muslims fought defensive battles at this time, but the precise extent to which the fighting was defensive is a matter of interpretation. See J. J. Saunder's History of Medieval Islam, Karen Armstrong's Islam, Desmond Stewart's early Islam, Cecil Roth's Short History of the Jewish People, and Chaim Potok's Wanderings for more details (though occasionally contradictory).
The Koran often refers to fighting with unbelievers, which I suspect may be a commentary on actual battles with animists, after the fact, rather than a call to attack, without provokation. The Koran states twice that a Muslim may not attack another who has not attacked him first. Its (far more frequent) references to fighting "unbelievers" may, I assume, be a reference to the fact that the overwheliming majority of Mohammed's enemies were animists rather than Christians and Jews. My bias is to interpret these matters as a liberal, and I am far from an understanding of them.
One of the most outstanding calls in the book is to revere the Torah and the Gospel. So great is this repeated praise, that it could easily sound like a counsel to read these books, though perhaps this is a false impression.
In short, I see a great need to approach this book with some historical background; this is not provided to as great an extent as it could have been by the translator.
Sopme readers may be surprized that Muslims do not regard this book as containing the teachings of Mohammed himself. These, they suggest, are contained in another book, called the Hadith, of which there are numerous versions.

Rating:
Summary: Critically Inaccurate in Critical Places
Review: I commend Mr.Dawood on his efforts to translate the Quran from Arabic to English, which is no easy task by any means. I don't purport to suggest that Mr.Dawood may have missed some critical meanings in his translation on purpose, but rather out of an unbridged gap between English and Arabic words, and how they relate in context. I am a Muslim, and I speak, read, and write Arabic fluently. I have excellent command of the language, as well as English too. Overall, the translation does an adequate job. However, allow me to point out one critical example that was not translated correctly. In the chapter of Women, verse 34, he quotes "Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other...". He uses the word "Superior" to explain the parallel Arabic word "Qawamoon". In fact, "Qawamoon" doesn't mean "Superior", it means "have been charged with" or "are responsible for". There is no parallel in the Arabic text that mentions anything about men having authority over women either. The full context should come out to mean that: Men are responsible for taking care of women, rather than saying men are superior to women. In other words, men are required to work and maintain a comfortable living status for their wives and families. A woman can work if she desires, but she is not required to spend her money on supporting the family if her husband works. God has released her from that obligation, but if she chooses to support the family, along with her man, she can do that too. Two very different concepts. The Arabic word that matches "Superior" is any derivative of the Arabic root "Fadl", which means: better, superior, favorable. Hence: Afdal, Mufaddaloon, or Mufaddaleen. God makes no distinction between Men and Women; neither one is superior to the other, but rather complementary to one another.

My advice to any person who cannot read Arabic is to read the Quran translation as a topical, overall, and extremely generalized translation. It is the little details, such as the one I mentioned above, and how they're understood, that are critical in forming an opinion. This translation is full of such examples.

In conclusion, a translation of the Quran should never be the goal to understanding Islam, but rather a vehicle to take towards understanding it. Understanding the true tenets of Islam for Non-Muslims can come from learning Arabic or speaking with a learned Muslim. I wish I can recommend a more accurate translation, but I am still searching for one myself.

Rating:
Summary: An Important Read
Review: I had no real interest in Islam until 9/11, after which I picked up and read Islam: The Straigh Path by John Esposito. I then did an independent study of Sufism, which is what sparked my interest in Islam enough to read The Koran, its central text.

Although I cannot comment on the other reviewers' differing views on the accuracy of this translation, I can write that this translation does convey something of the thunderous power that Muhammad's earliest listeners must have heard and experienced when these suras (speeches - the Koran is a collection of 114 speeches given by Muhammad, which Muslims believe were revelations given to him by God) were first delivered.

There are a number of things that one could mention content-wise, as each sura deals with something slightly different. God, women, human relationships, one's relationship to the non-believing world, Judaism, Christianity, and Arabic paganism are all touched upon in the Koran (along with other topics). It reads much like the Bible at points, and many of the more familiar Biblical stories are here, along with extra-Biblical legends. The Koran really isn't a bizarre religious text, but very much belongs to the genealogy of monotheistic, prophetic writings.

One of the things that I really liked about this particular translation was the way that Dawood cross-referenced relevant Biblical texts from both the Tanak/Old Testament and the New Testament. The footnotes detailing Arabic pagan practice were also helpful, as were the footnotes giving basic historical information. One certainly gets a feel for where the Koran was coming from and who it was going to when it was first delivered.

In reading this, it is worth reflecting on how a passage can lend itself to multiple interpretations. There are very few passages in the Koran that make any mention of war, and far more passages that assert that one should leave judgment to God. Yet, in our own time, these passages on war seem to be used - in some circles, at least - far more often than the passages that counsel one to merely give warning and leave the rest to God.

I think that the Koran is worth reading, especially given the current socio-political climate and I found this particular translation to be helpful due to Dawood's many footnotes. Regardless of the translation you end up buying, at least check this one out as it will give you an important insight into the world of the early Muslims, which continues to shape our world today.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting read...disturbing message
Review: Like most sacred books this one is no different. It teaches what all religions teach, a sense of self-loathing and fear of punishment. It teaches contempt for women, hatred for other beliefes and lifestyles, disgust for those that would seek answers through science, reason and logic. Like Christianity it's past is filled with unethical idealologies such as slavery, murder, ethnic cleansing, rape and torture. Also there is the blatant errors of ancient cosmology which are proof in themselves that this and other religions are anything but divinely inspired. So, do I have contempt for religion? Yes. Do I have contempt for the people who practice it? No. I wish more people would study not only their religion but other beliefs as well. I've gone through many emotions in my years researching religion. Many different feelings have come to mind while reading sacred books. But you know one emotion that I've have yet to experience. Laughter. Yep, you heard me right. When is the last time you ever read a holy book and burst out laughing? Think about it. As for Mr. Dawood this review is no reflection on him or his translation.

I encourage everyone to read the Koran and draw your own conclusions based on logic, reason and human compassion and not on fear or coercion.

Rating:
Summary: Simple style fails to convey true meaning
Review: NJ Dawood has a very straightforward style of translating. This makes for an easier read, but unfortunately he makes a lot of mistakes when translating the parts of the Quran that are more subtle and require a deeper understanding of the Arabic language.This becomes evident in his tranlation of some of the parables and also many of the verses that make reference to historical events. For a more accurate translation I would recommend Muhammad Asad or Nooruddin.

Rating:
Summary: truly awful transaltion!
Review: Now, regarding the Quran and other scriptures, you know from the start it's going to be a slow read. Writers like Mohammed, St Paul, and others were not word-savvy and couldn't make a gripping read like Ian Fleming, JK Rowling, or Jean Auel. Nor did they care: their mission was to "speak God's word" not to entertain their converts.

Nevertheless, when I picked up this book, I soon realized that even Mohammed was better with words than this. He was, after all, an Arab, and the Arabs has long cherished the word as art (hence their beautiful calligraphy and poetry). But this book was beyond dry. Even though I was prepared for repetitious narrative, like that in the Bible, I seriously felt like I was reading a telephone book. It totally killed my appreciation for the book, even though I love studying the religous classics. I immediately dropped it and went for a better translation.

Rating:
Summary: an exhortation of hate
Review: The rating of 5 stars is for the translation by Dawood of this book.
Of all translations I have read, 3, Dawood's is the one that best conforms to any acceptable standard of translation. (Others, like the Arberry's "translation" published by Oxford are an "interpretation" - or, what should be described as a paraphrase).
Simply, the Koran is the most hateful piece of writing humanity has ever produced. As a directive for human conduct it is nothing other than an exhortation of hate and an exhortation to commit violence against non-Mohammedans (non-Muslims). And this translation by Dawood is unencumbered by convoluted sentences and euphemisms that characterise other translations (eg Arberry's) which are designed to soften/conceal the impact of this message.
Anyone who has ever pondered why Mohammedans perpetrate acts of terrorism will find the answers in this book. For instance the purpose of Mohammedans is to fight & kill:
The Cow 2: 216 "Fighting is obligatory for you, much as you dislike it. But you may hate a thing although it is good for you..."
If Mohammedans are unwilling to die in the pursuit of killing others then they will be punished and replaced by those who are willing to kill:
Repentance 9:38: "Believers, why is it that when it is said to you: 'March in the cause of Allah,' you linger slothfully in the land? Are you content with this life in preference to the life to come? Few indeed are the blessings of this life compared to those of the life to come. If you do not fight He will punish you sternly and replace you by other men. Allah has power over all things." ; and, Women 4 :74 "Let those who would exchange the life of this world for the hereafter, fight for the cause of Allah; whether they die or conquer, We shall richly reward them."
The purpose is to terrorise: The Imrans 3:149: "Believers...put terror into the hearts of the unbelievers." And, Repentance 9:4-6 "Proclaim a woeful punishment to the unbelievers...When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they repent and take to prayer and pay the alms-tax, let them go their way. Allah is forgiving and merciful[!]"

(And this apart from its directives on the treatment of women: Women 4:34 "Men have authority over women because Allah has made one superior to the other...Good women are obedient...As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them to beds apart and beat them. Then if they obey you, take no further action against them. Allah is high, supreme." And, The Cow 2:223: "Women are your fields: go, then into your fields as you please.")

Reading this book helps dispel the idea of "Mohammedan as victim" myth; and the claim that those who commit acts of terrorism on behalf of their "Allah" are acting beyond the message of this religion.
In the populist US TV drama, the character Goran (Law & Order, criminal intent) challenged, in one episode, a western Mohammedan convert to find passages exhorting the committing of violence in the Koran & then claimed such passages did not exist!
In the trial of one of the Bali bombers, the bomber used as his defence the fact that he was simply following the directives of the Koran and that he was simply killing non-believers where-ever he found them. But the Indonesian court found him guilty by denying the existence of such a passage in the Koran that would legitimise such killing!
Australia's Prime Minister, mindlessly parrots himself, stating over and over, that acts of terrorism are the hijacking of a great religion by evil men. One could go on, but the Koran provides the evidence that these insistent claims that the Mohammedan faith is one of peace to be bare-faced lies.
Dawood's is the clearest translation, and one confident enough to run a parallel Arab text alongside the English (in other editions of this translation).