Hello, and thanks for your responses.
I had heard that the Koran loses much of its meaning and poetic beauty when it is translated into other languages. Some people claim that the Koran cannot be truly understood unless it is in Arabic.
With all due respect, how could Allah have expected to reveal himself to the world via a text dictated to an illiterate man (Mohammed, pbuh) that cannot be enjoyed outside of its native language?? Am I expected to learn another language in order to become a true beleiver?
2007-08-03 06:00:42 · 9 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim - In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Hello. It is true that there is a special blessing in reading the Qur'an in Arabic. But it is cetainly not required to be able to read or write Arabic in order to fully understand Islam.
The fundamental teachings of Islam are very simple and translate well: Don't worship anything or anyone besides the One God; live according to the teachings of Islam and the example set by the final Prophet, Muhammad, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him. Don't lie, don't cheat, don't steal. Don't have sexual relations outside of marriage. Honor your mother and father. All of this can be easily understood in English, German, Korean, Swahili, etc.
I am an American Muslim woman and I did not read or write Arabic while I was learning about Islam and for a couple of years after I converted. Over time I learned, and I enjoy being able to read in Arabic and to learn the Qur'an more easily. It doesn't make me a better Muslim than, say, a Latina who speaks English and Spanish but no Arabic. She may be a more religious, pious person than I. That is the realm of the heart and only Allah knows what is in the hearts. And Allah knows best.
I pray that Allah guides you to that which is best in this world and the next. Ameen.
Fi Aman Allah,
Nancy Umm Abdel Hamid
2007-08-03 06:41:29 · answer #1 · answered by UmmAbdelHamid 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
This is something I wonder.
Logically speaking a book which is supposed to be made for all people (ranging from very stupid to very clever) living in different countries & cultures and speaking different languages should have been written in simple & easy to understand language which could be easily translated.
Instead you have a book in which suras are supposed to have so many meanings and you need arabic experts to translate it. Sometimes even these "experts" cannot agree with each other & over generations different interpretations of the quran have developed which has translated into so many different sects many at loggerheads with the other.
2007-08-03 14:02:17 · answer #2 · answered by yoyodda 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
On this point, I have to agree with Islam. The bible translated into English is nothing more than a children's book, full of fairy stories and completely devoid of the original meaning. I have read both the original and the translation, and I think that no one who has read both will disagree. A person really has to be filled with the holy spirit to understand the bible in English, since nothing in the bible contains any meaning. If that is the case, then the bible is nothing more than a symbol, as it contains nothing of the original. At least Islam is smart enough to realize that. Christianity isn't.
2007-08-03 13:36:08 · answer #3 · answered by Fred 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Praise be to Allaah.
It is an addetional miracle to the quraan as even quraan is in arabic but other than arabs keep all quraan in heart and they read quraan as it is from there heart mind, for understanding you can read the tafseer which is clarification of meaning, quraan is saved froma ny change even if so small change minor, so immagin if u translate who will translate and who will chose the words,,it will not be from God,,it will be from human as what happend to the bibles of jesus and muses,,,your point is that you dont know what is the quraan.
No translation can resemble the Qur’an in precision of expressions, highness of style, or beauty of composition. Nor is it possible to reflect the miraculous nature of the Qur’an, fulfill all its goals in illustrating rules, principles and etiquette or indicate the lessons and primary and secondary meanings deduced from it. Any one who tries to do so is trying in vain.
People of Knowledge can express what they have understood from the meanings of the Qur’an in other languages to help the speakers of these languages get the ideas, even though they are not ultimate. But this is not considered to be Qur’an; it could be classified as belonging to illustrations. Therefore, unbelievers can touch such books.
www.islamqa.com
www.islamway.com
www.sultan.org
www.quraan.com
try hear your self and see,,,and read meanings in english and see
good luck
2007-08-03 13:14:53 · answer #4 · answered by Hosnyn 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hello and thank you for being honest,
I'll give you a short answer.
About meaning:The real source is in Arabic so after translations it is not corrupted.The source stays pure.
Poetry:You don't have to speak Arabic to hear the beautiful poetry just listen to it and then read the translation .(Just google the sura Yasin and listen to it you'll see)
Hope this helps.
2007-08-03 13:12:16 · answer #5 · answered by dank 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All language is culturally specific. Thats just how the world works man.
2007-08-03 13:08:51 · answer #6 · answered by Menon R 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Same applies to Torah & Bible. They were not sent in English format.
2007-08-03 13:05:37 · answer #7 · answered by Low Contributor 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
the fact of the matter is that you are grossly misinformed.
the koran only makes sense when translated into pig latin.
2007-08-03 13:06:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
Why would you want to become a Muslin?? To control, disrespect & abuse your woman and be accepted by your religion for doing so??
2007-08-03 13:14:52 · answer #9 · answered by FrancoAmerican! 3 · 0⤊ 8⤋