I was speaking to a Muslim friend the other day and I asked him if he can understand what is written in the Qur'an as he cant speak or understand arabic. (The little that he can understand is not enough for him to even communicate with anyone) And he said no. And that when he was younger he went to lessons at his mosque, but all they did was recite pages of it, but did not learn what it meant. How does this work, how are people like him supposed to know what is written in their holy book if they cannot even understand it themselves? Are there translations?
2007-03-04 03:13:18 · 11 answers · asked by Eryn v 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thomas......
This question is about the Qur'an only, first of all, second, i didnt ask what people belive about it, i asked about the language that it is in....no need to be so hostile.
2007-03-04 03:19:08 · update #1
The reason i asked if there are translations, because i did think there were before, is that many muslims that I have spoken to....as there are many in my school.....say that they would not believe in the Bible as it has been translated so many times and some of the stuff is inaccurate. But that the Qur'an is not translated, so its is all still the same as b fore.......interesting to know that there are actually translations.
2007-03-04 03:50:23 · update #2
what's written in Qur'an is very clear and simple but there are some difficult words in it that need translation so that u get the whole idea
we're taught about the explanation of Qu'ran words or its statements and this is what we call it *TAFSEER* and this is entirely a science or people travel to certain places or countries just to learn it!
C the level of faith VARIES between one person to another
so u can't judge and say the majority doesn't understand their holy books
it's eventually depends on the person and on his or her faith in their religion !
give him my regards
just tel him how come u r a Muslim and u don't understand ISLAM!
2007-03-04 03:30:46 · answer #1 · answered by Nader 06 *UAE spirit* 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
We read translations. Some Muslims believe that you have top know Arabic, others like myself, know that God's word transcends beyond lauguages. For this reason, you have people who speak Russian, English, and French etc. convert to Islam.
I have an English translation and I understand the Quran fully and it keeps getting better. It increases my faith and I gain wisdom. The Quran is meant for understanding, I don't know why some Muslims believe its base on teh Arabic, because if you don't know Arabic, you won't understand it in Arabic. But the meaning is more deatailed when you research teh Arabic. But it is still very awesome in all the other lauguages.
In a nutshell, Muslims around the world read translations of the Quran in a lauguage they understand.
2007-03-04 11:49:27 · answer #2 · answered by Muse 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Actually they don't want them to read it or translate it.
Before the people were burned at the stake for translateing the bible. The King James got tiried of the interwars and struggles.
So allowed a book to be written, in which all the smaller books were incorporated called it a bible which means little books.
He was hated by the religious authorities at the time for interferring in their carnage. But it allowed the average man to realize that bible really didn't say that.
The religious authorities were the only ones allowed to interpet the bible and said to get out of hell pay me lots of money.
That is what the tablets say. Not knowing otherwise they paid.
I mean who wants to stay in hell?
In the middle east only the clerics or holy men are allowed to read and interpet the sacred writings. So to get money they call wars where in they get a portion of the taken goods or tith.
Now we have TV Evangelists who go about it a different way to get fabously wealthy. Send me money and God will make you rich. So they pray on greed and the people believe it because they are all on Forbes 400 list of richest men in America.
Why change it if it works?
2007-03-04 11:26:03 · answer #3 · answered by Vanessa 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
yes dear there are translations in many languages even china has a version. Aramaic, Spanish, Protegees (or some spelling like that) English, etc. i know a good english translations is Yusuf Ali. but the mother of the Qur'aan is in Arabic. i find it so odd that the mosques didn't help him to understand this doen't sound accurate. i'm not calling you a liar, but in Islam we help those (who want to learn) understand. at least that's how it is supposed to be... poor fellow. we are not supposed to force anyone to understand. but then again that's what Islam is percieved as by many. not everyone, just many.
2007-03-04 11:39:55 · answer #4 · answered by baba where art thou 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Majority of non-Arab Muslims does not understand the meaning of the words in Qur'an. However, as Muslim we believe that the rewards are given by God when we read the Quran though we do not understand the meaning of it. From my experience as a newly converted Muslim I feel so tranquil and peace when I read the quran. There are translations in English and other languages.
2007-03-04 11:34:54 · answer #5 · answered by azman aziz 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
In the olden times, Catholic services were only held in Latin. And Latin was only understood by those who were educated. But that has now changed. This has made Catholicism accesible to everyone (regardless if you agree with Cath. stands for or if you don't agree).
Some countries have been trying to encourage mosque services to be held in the language of the country itself. But I guess they don't want to do that. It's a sign of religious arrogance and permeates the image of secrecy. But who cares anyways.
The Bible is available in all living and dead languages and many, many dialects. Better off reading that. At least it makes sense.
2007-03-04 11:26:00 · answer #6 · answered by Nina 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, the Quran has been translated into many languages. I read in English, but am trying to learn to read Arabic. It isn't easy, but its a worthwhile goal, I think.
If his school only taught him to recite but didn't' teach him what he was saying, that was a failure on their part. They should have been teaching the words AND the meanings.
2007-03-04 11:24:14 · answer #7 · answered by Smiley 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes there are translations of the book. The one i have is from Penguin Classics and is translated by N.J. Dawood.
2007-03-04 11:22:17 · answer #8 · answered by Woody 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
There are many translation in Quran...U can find it if u want
2007-03-04 11:52:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Wow, Muslims and Christians have a lot in common then.
2007-03-04 11:19:45 · answer #10 · answered by God 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋