Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
There are about 21 Translations of Quraan available in English today, of which two
are messy translations; one by the monastery of Abbey (1142) and the other one by a
Muslim (1922), both had political motivations to mistranslate.
The first one wanted European Christians to hate the invading kings from the Middle
East by painting them as evil cult so they can protect their own kingdom. The second
one was done by Hilali Khan, a Muslim in 1922, perhaps to egg on Muslims to regain
the lost Ottoman Empire and has inserted his own versions of hate towards Jews and
Christians. There are others as well who have done and misquoted the truth is, it is
not in Quraan. Quraan in Arabic, thank God, has remained intact.
Richard Bell
In the aftermath of the events of 9/11, there was a boom in
the sales of Qur'an translations.
About 6 000 000 translations were sold in Germany
In Israel, bookstores ran out of their Qur'an translation
stock.
In this era, Qur'an translations have become far more crucial than any time
before. Apart from their importance to non-Arabic speaking Muslims, they
represent the primary source of information and the major recourse for the
non-Muslims who are curious to pursue familiarity with Islam through first-hand
knowledge.
The role of such translations is gravely serious in formulating recipients'
opinion about the Muslims religion. Thomas Cleary, one of the modern Quran
translators, states:
For non-Muslims, one special advantage in reading the Qur'an
is that it provides an authentic point of reference from
which to examine the biased stereotypes of Islam to which
Westerners are habitually exposed. Primary information is
essential to distinguish between opinion and fact in a
reasonable manner. This exercise may also enable the thinking
individual to understand the inherently defective nature of
prejudice itself (1993, p. VIII).
However, to present "an authentic point of reference ", Quran translations
have to be an authentic representation of what the original says. Has this been
the case?
Problem Statement
Deliberate Defamation
Tailor-made/Deviant Non-deliberate Insufficiency
& Propagation Other Problems
of Misconceptions Interpretations Linguistic Problems of translations
Mistranslation/
Roots of Islamophobia Sectarian translations
Twisted Translations
poor translations/
in the early Orientalist Decontextualization by Muslims by the Non-Muslim
translations literalism/
Qadyani Groups
destabilization
English and
Translations affected
other language by the rationalist trend
translations
DELIBERATE DEFAMATION & PROPAGATION OF MISCONCEPTIONS
The first Qur'an translation was into Latin by Robert of Ketton in 1143. It was
made at the request of the Abbot of the monastery of Cluny. (abounds in
inaccuracies)
Such translations formed the foundation for a number of subsequent translations into
English, French, Italian, German, etc.
The first English translation was that of Alexander Ross published in 1649. In his
introduction, Ross says "I thought good to bring it to their colours, that so viewing thine
enemies in their full body, thou must the better prepare to encounter his Alcoran" (p.
A3).
Similarly, H. Reckendorf (1857) says in his Hebrew translation of the Qur'an, "I can now
stop writing and ask God's pardon for the sin I committed when I profaned our sacred
language and transferred to it the talk of lies and falsehood" (as cited in Abdul Aal,
January 29, 2006, p. 78).
In 1734, George Sales translation came out based on Marraccis earlier notorious
work.
Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, and slay them
wherever you catch them, ... and fight them on until there is no more
tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah" (p. 87)
However, the full ayat read:
"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not attack them
first. God does not love the aggressors, and slay them wherever you catch
them [those who fight against you]; drive them out of the places from
which they drove you, for persecution is worse than killing. But do not
fight them at the Sacred Mosque until they first attack you there, but if
they attack you [there], then kill them. Such is the retribution of the
disbelievers. But if they desist, then [know that] God is Forgiving,
Compassionate, and fight them on until there is no more tumult or
oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah. But if they desist,
then let there be no hostility except against the transgressors."
TAILOR-MADE/DEVIANT INTERPRETATIONS
It is sad too that many Quran translations by Muslims reflect ideas that
drift away from the mainstream Muslim beliefs.
A. Sectarian Translations
Some translations, even though good in many respects, are influenced by
scientific rationalism like those of Ahmad and Dina Zidan (1979),
Muhammad Asad (1980), and Ahmad Ali (1984). They intend to interpret
any references to miracles in the Qur'an on rational or figurative basis as
they reject the idea of miracles. For example, Asad (1980), whose
translation is praised by many, believes that Jesus Christ's miraculous
talk in his cradle is "a metaphorical allusion to the prophetic wisdom
which was to inspire Jesus from a very early age" (p. 73).
Unfortunately, these views reflect obvious refutation of basic mainstream
beliefs of the majority of Muslims who fully acknowledge these miracles.
Shi'ite translations differ in some respects from the mainstream
understanding of certain ayat (verses) to reflect their own doctrinal biases
rather than give an accurate presentation of the Muslims Scripture.
One thing I would regret to say at this point is that Muslims are doing very little to
advertise this lovely religion of theirs to the world. If they try to spread the true
essence of Islam over the entire world with due attention and knowledge, I am sure
that they will achieve very positive results. In the near East, people are still reserved
towards foreigners.
Instead of coming into contact with them and illuminating them, they prefer to
keep as far away as possible from them. This is an exceedingly wrong attitude. I am
the most concrete example. For I was somehow hindered from being interested in
the Islamic religion. Fortunately, one day I met a very respectable and highly
cultured Muslim. He was very friendly with me. He listened to me with attention.
He presented me an English version of the Qur'an al-Karim translated by a Muslim.
He gave beautiful and logical answers to all my questions. (as cited in Why did they
become Muslims?, 1995)
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COUNTERACTING ANTIPATHY AGAINST ISLAM
A reliable translation of the Qur'an, encompassing comprehensive information, should be
prepared as a team work with both language specialists and specialists in religion, who have a good
command of the target foreign language, to be involved.
Muslims should attempt to make people acquainted with their religion and to clear the
misconceptions related to issues like the status of women in Islam, polygamy, Jihad etc. This can
be done on two different levels:
* More explanatory programs in the media should be devoted to addressing such issues in a rational
scientific documented way.
*On another level, lay Muslims can engage in such tasks making use of the Internet technology
and chat talks, that are used only for nonsensical activities, through the notion of "popular
diplomacy ". The following are comments of some students who were involved in the Connect
Project at the American University in Cairo. Such program involves students from so many Arab
and American Universities in videoconferencing where they discuss several crucial issues to bridge
the communication gap and clear misconceptions
"I learned that the American media is the main reason why there are many stereotypes
and false ideas on Islam and the Arab World." (Female, Qatari, University of Qatar).
I was happy to see how my American partners in this program could express themselves freely
and were brave to tell us about the stereotypes they have. I enjoyed answering all their
questions about Islam and the Arab world" (Female, Qatari, University of Qatar).
An American student said, "The actual real-time discussions were amazing in that we were
actually able to speak and ask anything to people we knew so little about. I think it was the
best way to learn about the Middle East and Islam that a student could experience"
(female, Virginia Commonwealth University).
The media should give more weight to explaining sides of Islam that that are ignored by Non-
Muslims. Indeed, some of these issues captured western scholars and converts to Islam. Among these
issues are:
1.Islams Rationality
It is based on rational thinking. It does not ask Muslims to act against reason nor to accept things they
do not understand but to work their minds and seek knowledge. Thomas Cleary argues that Islam
"does not demand unreasoned belief. Rather it invites intelligent faith, growing from observation,
reflection, and contemplation" (p. vii).
Many of those who converted to Islam state in the book entitled Why did they become Muslims? that
this is one of the major issues that attracted them to this religion.
2. Acknowledgment of all the previous Books and Messengers.
3. The conformity between science and religion in Islam
Thomas Cleary (1993) states that Islam finds a solution to the dilemma of the
"Post-Christian West". He explains that the Qur'an:
offers a way to explore an attitude that fully embraces the quest for knowledge
and understanding that is the essence of science, while at the same time, and
indeed for the same reasons, fully embraces the awe humility, reverence, and
conscience'. (p.viii)
Besides, in his book The Bible, Quran and Science: The Holy Scriptures Examined
in the Light of Modern Knowledge, Maurice Bucaille acknowledges the total
conformity between the facts mentioned in the Qur'an and modern science.
Examples of the Scientific Facts in the Quran
Are:
: )
(7-6
"Did not We make the earth an expanse
and the mountains as pegs?" (78: 6-7)
Mountains have deep roots under the surface of the
ground. (Earth, Press and Siever, p. 413.)
220.)
Modern Science has discovered that in the places where two different seas meet, there is a barrier between
them. This barrier divides the two seas so that each sea has its own temperature, salinity, and
density.1 For example, Mediterranean sea water is warmer, more saline, and less dense, compared to
Atlantic ocean water. When Mediterranean sea water enters the Atlantic over the Gibraltar sill, it moves
several hundred kilometers into the Atlantic at a depth of about 1000 meters with its own warm, saline,
and less dense characteristics. The Mediterranean water stabilizes at this depth2 Although there are
large waves, strong currents, and tides in these seas, they do not mix or transgress this barrier.
(1) Principles of Oceanography, Davis, pp. 92-93.
(2) Principles of Oceanography, Davis, p. 93. http://www.islam-guide.com/
In support of Bucaille's and Cleary's argument, Captain Jacques Cousteau, a French famous undersea
explorer, explains that what made him believe that the Qur'an is the true word of God, was the discovery that
the water of the Red Sea and Indian Ocean do not mix. Following is what he says:
In 1962 German scientists said that the waters of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean did not mix with
each other in the Strait of Bab-ul-Mandab where the Aden Bay and the Red Sea join. So we began to
examine this. First we analyzed the water in the Mediterranean to find out its natural salinity and
density, and the life it contained. We repeated the same procedure in the Atlantic Ocean. We found
that, even at places where the two seas were closest to each other, each mass of water preserved its
properties. In other words, at the point where the two seas met, a curtain of water prevented the
waters belonging to the two seas from mixing. When I told Professor Maurice Bucaille about this
phenomenon, he said that it was no surprise and that it was written clearly in Islam's Holy Book, the
Qur'an al-Karim. When I knew this, I believed in the fact that the Qur'an al-Karim was the 'Word
of Allah'.
.
Dr. T. V. N. Persaud, a Professor of Anatomy, Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health, and
Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Chairman of the Department of Anatomy states:
The way it was explained to me is that Muhammad was a very ordinary man. He could not read,
didnt know [how] to write. In fact, he was an illiterate. And were talking about twelve [actually
about14 00] years ago. You have someone illiterate making profound pronouncements and
statements and that are amazingly accurate about scientific nature. And I personally cant see how
this could be a mere chance. There are too many accuracies and, like Dr. Moore, I have no difficulty
in my mind that this is a divine inspiration or revelation which led him to these statements.
Other scientists testify to the same issue. Please click the link below:
http://www.islamguide.com/truth.htm
This page is added by Mike Ghouse, to the previous pages prepared
by Ibrahim Saleh & Dahlia Sabry from Egypt.
How do I know that the Quraan translation I am reading is the right one or
the wrong one?
The test is simple It is the word of God, or simply stated wisdom for a
world of equilibrium. Neither Injustice nor imbalance is included in
Gods Plan. God simply will not be un-just. If a verse offends the
reader, then the issue is not the Verse, but it is the understanding of
the verse in its right context. Even if an expert translates it for you, it
still should mean justice. Finding the truth is ones own responsibility.
It is not the word of God, nor the religion that is the problem, it is our
intent and our interpretation.
Lets hope all of us genuinely seek the truth and work for a better world.
Mike Ghouse
www.worldMuslimCongress.com
www.WorldMuslmiCongress.org
http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/
www.MikeGhouse.net