Best English translation of Qur'an?

[Turk]

Selam Aleykum brothers and sisters,

This is my first post here. First I would like to give you brief information as who a I am and why I am posting this topic. I am a Turkish/Muslim living in US past 13 yrs, and married to a Dominican wife for 1yr. She loves my culture/faith and has a very open mind to it. She already believes that there is one god and Muhammad is the messenger as well as other prophets.

The things is, last year I purchased her a copy of Qur'an and she started reading it, but she told me that the translation was not good, so I read it my self and I agreed with her. So I would really appreciate if you could tell me which Qur'an to purchase via internet such as amazon, etc, so she understands the clear message translated in english. I have done some research but since I've found this site now, I would really like to hear your opinion on which is the most recommended.

Thank you in advance,

Turgay Murat

[PouringRain]

Which translation did you buy her initially?

I would suggest that you have her look at a few different translations on-line and then have her select which one she finds the most enjoyable to read. http://quran.com/

My personal favorite is Yusuf Ali. Many people sing the praises of Pickthall. The English version of Maariful Quran actually has a good translation of the Qur'an within the tafsir. Lately I have seen many individuals offering support for the Sahih International translation.

[Turk]

Hi PouringRain,

I initially gave her English translation and the translation was poor. I was thinking about getting Yusuf Ali's version. Is it clear and understandable as well as well translated?

Thank you.

[PouringRain]

Hi PouringRain,

I initially gave her English translation and the translation was poor. I was thinking about getting Yusuf Ali's version. Is it clear and understandable as well as well translated?

Thank you.

On the Qur'an link I gave in my previous post, you and your wife can look at the Yusuf Ali translation. Click on one of the surah, then when it comes up, on the left side of the page, scroll down to translation and click the box next to Yusuf Ali.

Most people, in my experience, do not have a problem with Yusuf Ali's translation, but they do have a problem with his commentary. Someone recently was not happy by the fact that the Yusuf Ali commentary that I have compares the Qur'an to music. If you purchase a copy of Yusuf Ali without the commentary, then there should not be those problems.

[lumumba_s]

Yusuf Ali's translation is among the most popular and widely distributed for a reason. Though issue can be taken with some of his opinions, and I do myself, no one is free from criticism. His translation is good and someone with no previous Islamic education will find commentaries useful. Additionally, his notes have been edited and most of the more objectional passages have been removed (along with some which were not). People who can competently speak English always make better translators. And being that they are spouses, they should be helping one another in their intellectual and spiritual growth anyway.

[shaad_lko]

I've read this one by Ali Unal partly and found it a quite easy read: http://www.amazon.com/Quran-Annotate...dp/1597841447/

But if you're looking from the pov of internal coherence of the Quran, there's no comparison to the ones by Islahi and Ghamidi (parts of which are accessible here):
http://www.monthly-renaissance.com/i...=articles&id=1
some parts of Tadabbur i Quran here: http://www.monthly-renaissance.com/EBooks.aspx


Also, first part of Islahi's tafsir is translated into English in a highly readable way (and I would highly recommend it to any serious student of the Quran) :
http://www.amazon.com/Pondering-Over...dp/9839154885/
(if you search online, you may be able to get it at a cheaper rate from IBT or some other Islamic bookstore).

[Al-Boriqi]

all of you guys are wack and can't read. The brother clearly said that his wife was dominican, mashallah. It would seem that he is looking for a spanish Qur'an.

@Turk

yes, there are good translations into many languages

check this site out
http://ar.islamway.com/SF/quran/

click on spanish which is the sixth one down.

they have a plethora of languages in which it can be downloaded.

asalamu alaykum

[PouringRain]

all of you guys are wack and can't read. The brother clearly said that his wife was dominican, mashallah. It would seem that he is looking for a spanish Qur'an.

Then you must join us at the table of non-readers, since the thread title clearly asks for an English translation.

[Al-Boriqi]

Then you must join us at the table of non-readers, since the thread title clearly asks for an English translation.

i'll take my place among the wack non readers
and you can strike me silly

[Imranreal]

I would recommend Muhammad Asad's. You can compare many english translation side by side for each Aya at openburhan.com

[smile]

Many people say that MAS Abdul Haleem's translation is most easy to read for English speaking people.
Here is the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Quran-Oxford-W.../dp/0199535957
And here is a review:
http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-stud...-abdel-haleem/

[awz1]

I would say Pickthall due to its flow of reading. However, all translations I have noticed have mistakes or issues that could be taken up,

[Raheem]

I am a learner myself and some years back i found the Quran's english translation with explanation and commentry and since then i am totally in love with it, because of the effective way of author in explaining the true reflection of the words of Allah SWT. I would highly recommend you:
"The Holy Quran"
Text, Translation and Commentry by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

I am sure you will love reading and understanding it just like i do.