Al-Qur'an: A Contemporary Translation.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Translation, a Definite Must!
Review: If there is an English translation to recommend, this would be it. I have researched and searched many English translations of the Quran and became dissapointed in how the translation effort was presented. In some cases, I identified at least 5 different translations of the same verse!! As a Muslim Arab, I have to stress that the Arabic language of the Quran that was revealed 1400 years ago is different from contemporary Arabic. Suffice to say that many Arabs themselves don't understand the Quran accurately. Consequently, many Arabs fall into the pitfall of interpreting the verses in reference to todays Arabic. The words in the language, like any other, have gone through an evolution in syntax, structure, and context. I studied Arabic literature throughout my formal education. Moreover, I am fluent in reading, writing, and speaking it. The author has relied on an extensive research of ancient Arabic by referring to great literary works such as "Lisan Al-Arab", an 18 volume dictionary, thesaurus, and grammer set that mentions every Arabic word root and all its derivatives and how they were used in varying contexts and meanings, as well as "Al-Muheet". For those who doubted the translation, criticized what the book offered, and accused it of being contradictory, I say this:

First, If read correctly and studied thoroughly, one will discover that the Quran is not contradictory. Attention must be paid to whether a chapter is Makki or Medini, what were the circumstances surounding its revelation, what other verses in other chapters does it tie into, and finally what did the Prophet Muhammad himself relate to these verses in his life (Hadeeth and Seerah). Only through that analysis and cohesion of concepts can the accurate meaning and context of an Arabic word (with many meanings) be pin-pointed. Second, this book is a literal translation of the Quran, not an explanation of the Quran. Even in Arabic, there are literary works called "Tafsir" that expand on explaining the verses. This is not a Tafsir book, it is a Quran. Two different works. Third, the translation is very authentic, and I say this as a student of Arabic literature. Unfortunately, there aren't many organizations that oversee these translation efforts, and so it can't be kept in check. If there was such a council, only one English version of the Quran would be available, just as one Arabic version is available. Translating the Quran needs to be a regulated and stringent practice that endorses the highest credentials of the author and bears a seal of approval from an International Muslim Council to stop others, whether intentionally or unintentionally, from distorting the Quran.

My advise is to seek a learned Muslim if you have questions or come up against what might seem to you as a contradiction. A visit to a Mosque and a conversation with an Imam will address any concerns. God bless you all.

Rating:
Summary: You Won't Do Better
Review: This translation of the Koran by Ahmed Ali is about as good as it gets for the English-speaking reader. Out of all the translations available locally, (and I compared many, side by side, passage to passage), this is IT. True, Ali does hang on to a generally archaic tone, but no more so than 'Lord of the Rings' does. 'Haply' and 'verily' are peppered throughout the text very much like the 'hark's and 'lo's of the JPS Tanakh. 'Compeer' is a regularly occuring word (has any contemporary English speaker used THAT in a sentence lately?). My favorite is 'obliquities'. Nonetheless, these things do not interfere with the basic clarity and readability of the translation. And unlike a couple of readable versions done by non-Muslims, Ali communicates a great deal of cultural and literary information sensitively and with style. Other reviews give me the idea many Christians are reading this for indications of the barbarity of Islam. I guess the savagery of the Hebrew Bible is insufficient for them. Christians might be better served by reading the Koran for its statements about Jesus, Mary and the Trinity. Mohammed's views do not represent his personal, idiosyncratic views. They represent sectarian Christian traditions that were alive and well in his time: that Jesus did not rise from the dead, nor was he the son of God. Read your books carefully!

Rating:
Summary: A Brilliant and Sparkling Work
Review: Those who know Arabic, and who can read the Qur'an in Arabic, should simply read Qur'an in Arabic, as all Muslims know there is no substitute for Al-Qur'an. However, the millions of readers who know no Arabic at all will likely find this to be the most readable, insightful, and hopefully inspiring English translation of The Holy Qur'an. Personally, as I unfortunately seem to have no facility whatsoever for other languages besides English, Ahmed Ali's translation has served me well as a guide to a greater and deeper understanding of a faith and way of life of which I would otherwise know virtually nothing. As the best translators know, absolute accuracy of translation is irrelevant if the end product is clumsy and unnecessarily difficult. I am not in a position to determine whether Ahmed Ali's translation is entirely accurate -- I must leave that task to great masters of scholarship -- but I do know what I like, and the elegant English is simply superb.