Translating Quran from original Arabic loses meaning
Shirien Elmasraya
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Opinion
So you've probably heard the Quran is only in Arabic and a translation of the Quran is just that - not the real Quran.
But why is this?
The Muslim Student Association table in Free Speech Alley hands out free translations of the Quran to anyone interested.
And despite some problems with translations I will explain to you, I still recommend everyone to stop by and get a copy.
About 82 percent of Muslims aren't Arab. They claim to follow the Quran but Arabic isn't their language, which is exactly why Muslims must learn Arabic.
In fact, Muslims pray five times a day. Those prayers can only be recited in the Arabic language as much of the prayer is reciting verses of the Quran. How can Muslims get the full benefit of prayer when they don't understand what they're reciting?
For all the linguists out there, this one is for you.
The Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad more than 1,400 years ago in the Arabic language.
And one virtue of the Quran no other religious book can claim is the fact that not one letter of the Quran was altered since the time it was revealed.
The rulings that were followed in the 7th Century are the same commandments we follow today.
One problem faced when anything gets translated into another language is the issue of words and meanings getting lost in translation. Anyone who studies foreign languages knows what I mean.
When something is lost in translation, it's no longer the true word of the author or speaker - in this case Allah, or God.
Any Muslim who knows Arabic can tell you the miraculous nature and beauty of the Quran is crystal clear through the Arabic recitation.
A translation is good for people who don't know the language, and there is still a lot of beauty in it, but there is no comparison between a translation and its mother tongue.
You may say this is only an opinion, but I'm now going to provide just a little evidence to prove our claim.
But why is this?
The Muslim Student Association table in Free Speech Alley hands out free translations of the Quran to anyone interested.
And despite some problems with translations I will explain to you, I still recommend everyone to stop by and get a copy.
About 82 percent of Muslims aren't Arab. They claim to follow the Quran but Arabic isn't their language, which is exactly why Muslims must learn Arabic.
In fact, Muslims pray five times a day. Those prayers can only be recited in the Arabic language as much of the prayer is reciting verses of the Quran. How can Muslims get the full benefit of prayer when they don't understand what they're reciting?
For all the linguists out there, this one is for you.
The Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad more than 1,400 years ago in the Arabic language.
And one virtue of the Quran no other religious book can claim is the fact that not one letter of the Quran was altered since the time it was revealed.
The rulings that were followed in the 7th Century are the same commandments we follow today.
One problem faced when anything gets translated into another language is the issue of words and meanings getting lost in translation. Anyone who studies foreign languages knows what I mean.
When something is lost in translation, it's no longer the true word of the author or speaker - in this case Allah, or God.
Any Muslim who knows Arabic can tell you the miraculous nature and beauty of the Quran is crystal clear through the Arabic recitation.
A translation is good for people who don't know the language, and there is still a lot of beauty in it, but there is no comparison between a translation and its mother tongue.
You may say this is only an opinion, but I'm now going to provide just a little evidence to prove our claim.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 17
Allah is not God
posted 4/21/08 @ 10:39 AM CST
Allah is the Islamic God. It is not God. It is not the Jewish or Christian God. In no way is cruel "Kill Infidels For All Time" Allah the Christian God Jesus. (Continued…)
theProphet
posted 4/21/08 @ 12:23 PM CST
There is so much wrong with this article that I cannot even begin to address it. Anyways, this seems to be the only place to reach you. I am aware of your challenge of wearing hijab. (Continued…)
yawn
posted 4/21/08 @ 12:33 PM CST
Yawn, same old rhetoric and ignorance. Allah is the Arabic Word for God. If you go to the Arab World, you'll hear jews and christians also praying by saying Allah. (Continued…)
random
posted 4/21/08 @ 9:05 PM CST
Does this chick ever write anything that isn't about islam? Seriously.. ?
Are you even an LSU student? Do you have a life or interests that aren't related to being muslim? Do you think about being muslim all the damned time? Gah!
I, for one, would love to read an article that said something about the author, instead of just constant islam propaganda. (Continued…)
Charles Martel
posted 4/22/08 @ 12:28 PM CST
Answers of some of Shirien's arguments above can be found
at "The Qur'an: An Evaluation of the Muslim Claims"
http://www.answering-islam.org/Quran/index. (Continued…)
More supremacist nonsense
posted 4/22/08 @ 2:49 PM CST
No scholar of languages or linguistics of any repute will agree that Arabic, alone of all human languages, is "untranslatable." Difficult, perhaps, like many others, but certainly not impossible. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 4/22/08 @ 8:32 PM CST
As a LSU alum, I am sad to see the Reveille reduced to being a propaganda tool for the Ikhwan (aka Muslim Brotherhood).
Jam
posted 4/23/08 @ 2:39 AM CST
When will we learn? Jeez. This pervasive anti-Muslim sentiment in our society - proudly put on display day in and day out by commenters on Shirien's articles - is saddening. (Continued…)
Probably pointless but...
posted 4/23/08 @ 9:49 AM CST
Issues of translation are valid when you are talking about a work such as the Bible or Koran, despite what "More supremacist nonsense" says. Translation of any work is not as simple as just finding the right word. (Continued…)
Martin Newmiller
posted 4/23/08 @ 10:42 AM CST
The religious texts of the Hindus; "The Vedas" date from 1500 BCE, which is about 2100 years older than the Quran, and although there are translations (like the Quran) it is still most widely read in its original language. (Continued…)
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