A question about the Quran

[Ladyjinx]

I have always felt that bible has been translated and changed to many times to be really accurate. ( i'm not bashing the bible dont hate me! its just not for me.)
I've heard how leaders through the ages had it influenced to make their own laws and such go over better.
Has the Quran gone through these types of translations also?
Also many things in the bible can be interpreted any way you want them to be. I've had people tell me the bible said things and i know i read the same thing and is no way thats what it said .
And my last question on this , forgive me for its stupidness,
can anyone just go buy a Quran and are they in english.
(blushes at my own ignorance.)

[Winter80-sara]

Hi I had thoughts and have posted the question about whether or not the Quaran is written in english because I would love to read it. I have felt embarrest too because I don't always know the way to ask personal questions. Exspecially on religious topics but it seems most people are pretty understanding. I am Catholic but am at that point in my life where I feel something is missing and am searching for the truth and knowledge. My parents took me out of Church when I was younger because of things happening in the church. ( I won't go into it. Kinda long story). But I was told that I could choose any religion I wanted as long as I truley feel and believe in it with all my heart. I believe in God with all my heart now its trying to find what religion is right. But anyway no one answered any of my questions about the Quaran so hopefully someone will answer soon. Hopefully Kaysar:D Anyway sorry for rambling on.

[Omer]

yeah, the Quran is translated into English. You can go to your local bookstore or library and probably checkout the English Translation. BUT, I caution you, that a translation is not a good substitute for the real deal. Some of the meaning could be changed. But then again if you're reading if just for reading sake, go right on ahead!

[Winter80-sara]

Well I would like to know the true meaning. Do you know how to go about that. I don't want to just read it to read I really am interested in learning. Thanks for replying

[Ladyjinx]

Well i dont have a "religion" although i have beliefs..
and i 'm not reallyl sure why i want to read it. I guess i'm looking for somthing but really dont know what it is yet.
Its really pretty funny...i watch bb6..join a forum and next thing you know i'm out to find the Quran!
lol lifes to much.

[Winter80-sara]

I know the feeling. Kaysar really made me interested in learning about it. I'm puzzled about my religion also. Being a Catholic almost seems to leave me with more questions. I don't know if id ever change religions but I wanna learn and I have no discriminations with people of any religion. I think everone is special and unique. Thanks for replying.

[cyounus]

This may be very long post and PLEASE is I am incorrect in any part someone speak out LOUDLY.

The Quran was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) bit be bit over a peroid of 23 years. As eash revelation was given, the verses were learnt by heart and jotted down on whatever was at hand.

The Surahs (chapters) are not in chronological order, however. It is generally accepted that the first words are in Surah 96:1-5 and the final words are in Surah 5. The order was also something revealed to the Prophet, who had to recite the whole collection revealed so far to the angle Gabriel every Ramadan, and the entire text was checked with the angle twice, shortly before the Prophet died.

The The first Caliph, Abu Bakr, requested the Prophet's companion, Zaid ibn Thabit, to make a complete written version in one Book. He did not alter the messages in any way; no explanations or editorial comments were added. This text was given to the Prophets widow Hafsah, the daughter of Caliph Umar. In the reign of Caliph Uthman, about 23 years after the Prophets death, any other versions which individuals had were either checked for full agreement against this one, or destroyed. Numerous copies of the standard text were made and sent to all chief Muslim centres, and all copies since then have been Identical.

The earliest known Quran that still exist are in Tashkent and Istanbul. The Tashkent Quran has recently been photocopied.

PLEASE, JUST BECAUSE I USED THE WORD CALIPHS, NO SHI'IT -VS- SUNNI DEBATES, I BEG YOU.

[mkaw]

Is worship in mosques always conducted in Arabic or would it be in the language of the area?

[cyounus]

usualy both. Like for Jama'ah you might have the sermon in english and the again in Arabic. A lot of it depends on the area you live. If everyone understand Arabic then there would be no english. If the population is mostly english then you would have both. I do not know of a mosque that is English only. Jama'ah will always be in Arabic.

[Hashman]

Salaat prayers must be recited in Arabic, whether they're done at mosque in congregation or at home by yourself. Most of the salaat is actually recitation of short chapters of the Quran, and it's easy to read and understand the meanings of those small chapters.

The lectures/sermons can be in any language, except for a specific portion of the Friday sermon that must be in Arabic.

[cyounus]

Hushman,
Can you provide Sunnah or Surah that states the daily prayer is in Arabic even if you do not speak Arabic?

[ashleyheartskaysar]

I too became very interested with the Muslim religion after BB6! I went to my college's library and found about a zillion copies of the Qur'an, books on Islam, and all kinds of related topics... after looking through several I picked up the following version of the Qur'an that I think is pretty well translated:

An Interpretation of the Qur'an
English Translation of the Meanings
A Bilingual Edition

Translated by Majid Fakhry


The origanl Arabic version is located on the right hand side of the page and an English translation on the right hand side.

[cyounus]

Without having someone that reads Arabic with you, you did the right thing in pruchasing a Quran that has both english and arabic. If at any time you have a question about the translation then you can find someone that reads arabic and knows the exact surah you are questioning.

[Hashman]

Originally posted by cyounus
Hushman,
Can you provide Sunnah or Surah that states the daily prayer is in Arabic even if you do not speak Arabic?
The saying of Prophet Muhammad that's used most often to support that is "Pray as you have seen me pray." (Because the Quran is not our source of guidance for how to pray salaat, we're not likely to find anything in there about the language.) Other than that, I've read from several sources that Islamic scholars are unanimous that it must be recited in Arabic...some make exceptions for new Muslims, but with the condition that they learn it in Arabic ASAP. See http://www.welcome-back.org/question/salat_english.shtml for example.


ashleyheartskaysar, there are also some publications of the Quran that have three versions of it side-by-side: Arabic, English, and transliterated (i.e., Arabic pronunciation written with the English alphabet). The transliteration can help you sound out what it would be like in Arabic.

Also, if you want to hear the actual recitation of it, try downloading the MP3's from http://is.aswatalislam.net/CategorySelectionMadeP.aspx?CatID=1001 ... There are lots of reciters listed there. One of my favorites is the "Saad Ghamdi (http://is.aswatalislam.net/DisplayFilesP.aspx?TitleID=101&TitleName=Quran_-_Saad_Ghamdi)" recitation.

[Firdous]

Pickthall and Yusuf Ali are 2 different translations to look for. They've been around for a long time and have been used by many muslims.

These translations, along with all the others, are not perfect. Some of the arabic words have depths of meaning that can't always be precisely translated in other languages. You can get an interpretation of the meanings with these translations then delve deeper by contemplating and reading the many commentaries which expound on the words, verses and history.

Reading about the life of the Prophet Muhammad, mpbuh, before approaching the Quran can be useful as you will learn about the documented historic background. I recommend "MUHAMMAD, his life based on earliest sources" by Martin Lings.

Online, you can get a free english translation Quran from:
https://www.cair-net.org/explorethequran/default.asp

Not sure who the translation is by on this free copy. There's a note when ordering that they are overwhelmed with requests but should be fulfilling each one eventually.

http://www.freequran.org has english, french, and spanish versions of the Yusef Ali translation.

If you have a mosque in your area, they may be able to offer a free copy of the Quran too.

Learning to read arabic is the best way to read the Quran in it's fullest meaning, but don't let that deter anyone from making the steps to know about Islam.

[cyounus]

Hashman,
the reason I asked about the Surah, sunnah or hadith is because this has been a big deal in our house. While in Cairo I have asked this question as well. While perpairing for hajj I asked the question. the first answer I receive is always simular to your but after questing this answer. I have been told directly by PhD's. that it is perfered but NOT obligatory. I was fortunate to have access to theese people via living in Ciaro. Then I was asked a question: Would ALLAH be so nerrow minded as to demand that only arbic is spoken in the world?
I was also told of a sunnah (I will not vouch for it's accuracy). that states if it was so important then ALLAH would have included it in the Quran. It was also explained to me that making Wudu and then praying is what the Prophet pbuh was referring to in the sunnah you gave.
I don't know if you have been to hajj (I am not asking so you do not have to answer) but the people there are saying their prayers in all differant languages. The Imam is always saying prayer in arabic.

[the1]

Arabic is the language of the Qur'an and is the language of Islam. The sunnah in question can be interpreted as both of you have mentioned cyounus, but ultimately it is a general statement: pray as you have seen me pray, without qualification. I personally find that to be an all emcompassing statement, that should be interpretd to mean every detail in the prophet's prayer, should be emmulated.

It is similar to the verse in the Qur'an that states: And what the Messenger has given you, then take, and what he has prohibited from, then avoid. These statements serve to guide how we follow the Prophet's example - as in totally and without interpretaion.

There is also the notion that the literal translation of the Qur'an does not perfectly align itself with the Arabic narrative. What I mean, and anyone who's watched a movie with sub titles can tell you, is that a translation is at best an interpretation, rather than a verbatum retelling. As any interpretor will tell you, colloquialisms and expressions do not translate well, if at all.

If the chaoice is between praying in a language other than Arabic, or not praying, then the choice would certainly be to pray in the foreign language. However, it is clear that the Qur'an was revealed in Arabic, was meant to be read in Arabic, and moreover, can only in Arabic can it sfull meaning being gleamed.

[mkaw]

Thank you for your responses.

I have a linguistics question.
I see that Arabic is the language spoken in Iraq and some other neighbouring countries. Has Arabic evolved or changed since 600 AD or is it still very much the same as when the Quran was written?
Is Arabic taught to Muslims in other countries in order that they may worship?

[cyounus]

There are different dialects. Egyptian Arabic is sometimes called pure Arabic.
Musliam from all countries are tought Quranic Arabic or Egyptan Arabic.

[Ali al-Mahdi]

I've found a few translation errors in the Qur'an when I was with my Iranian friends and I read the translation of a verse, and since Iranians learn Arabic in school, they knew what it meant, and said the translation wasn't exactly correct. So be weary when reading a translation.

Always ask questions if you are not sure of the meaning of a verse, and don't read it literally. Huge tafsirs (explanations) of the Qur'ans meanings have been written. Tafsir al-Mizan by Allamah Tabatabaei (www.almizan.org) is over 12 volumes long (I don't know exactly how long). :)

[cyounus]

Ali

Would you go to Please I just want to know. I told her to u2u but I dont know if you check it all the time

[Ali al-Mahdi]

I've been at home for the weekend working (at university now), so I haven't been online much this weekend, but I'm back now :) I answered her question!