Where can I find HONEST english translations of the Qur'an?

Question

Many websites are full of propaganda that either want to make Islam the worst religion in the world or exactly the opposite...

Does anyone know where unbiased translations of the Qur'an may exist?

http://www.religioustolerance.org/islam.htm is good for the basic facts but I am interested in reading the texts and Hadiths for myself.

Answer 1

This is the one that I use at home:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Holy-Quaran-Arabic-English-Daryabadi/dp/0686835913

It has commentary which explain verses further and compares it to other religions. The English used is modern and easy to understand.

If you wanted I translation from a non-muslim I've heard Arberry's translation is quite good:

http://www.amazon.com/Koran-Interpreted-Translation-J-Arberry/dp/0684825074

Answer 2

Definitely not online. Go to any Mosque. They will gladly give you a free copy. For Hadith, go to a Muslim bookstore; you would want 'Saheeh Al Bukhari". Do not fear getting a dishonest or fake translation of a Qur'an. Anyone owning such an item has it well hidden and would not even distribute it. So you're pretty safe when it comes to getting a Qur'an at a Mosque; just ask for one.

Answer 3

Islamicity for the Muhammad Asad, Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall translations:
http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/quran/
The University of South Carolina MSA Compendium of Muslims Texts for the Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pickthall and MH Shakir translations:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/001.qmt.html
Also the USC MSA has information on the Sunnah and Hadiths:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/

The AJ Arberry translation:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/index.htm

The Sacred Texts website for the EH Palmer and JM Rodwell translations, some Hadith books and other Islamic books including sufi texts:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/index.htm

The first two should suffice really. I tend to use these two mainly, and for the Yusuf Ali, Pickthall and Muhammad Asad translations that I tend to prefer, and I mainly quote Yusuf Ali. The first website (Islamicity) is useful if you want to read the Arabic and listen to the correct pronunciation. The second website is useful for comparing the three translations side by side plus it is easy to find something specific you might be looking for in a chapter by going to Edit and then Find on the page because an whole chapter is on one web page.

This video is useful information for any non-Muslim reading the Qur'an for the first time regarding the Internal Structure of the Qur'an. Please listen to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJrX6tZdWzc

Hope this helps.
Best wishes and salam (peace).

Answer 4

I've seen a really nice copy of the Q'uran at Borders that has the English verses on one side and the Arabic on the other.

Answer 5

http://wings.buffalo.edu/sa/muslim/quran/yali/

Before the reader begins to study the Qur-an, he must realise that unlike all other writings, this is a unique book with a supreme author, an eternal message and a universal relevance. Its contents are not confined to a particular theme or style, but contain the foundations for an entire system of life, covering a whole spectrum of issues, which range from articles of faith and commandments to general more teachings, rights and obligations, crime and punishment, personal and public law, and a host of other private and social concerns...(s)tories of past communities are narrated, folloowed by the lessons to be learned from their actions and subsequent fates.

[Extracted from Yusuf Ali's translation of the meaning of the Holy Qur-an]

the Glorious Quran (Translated by Yusuf Ali)
http://www.islam101.com/quran/yusufAli/

Answer 6

I have one at home....was brought back by someone who served overseas.

It's published by the Royal Publishing House of King (sorry, can't spell name), Saudi Arabia.

I'd consider it to be pretty honest...what does the king of Saudi have to gain with a false enlish translation? When talking to folks, they tell me I can't trust anything translated by a westerner since he's not of the faith. Interesting how the same accusation doesn't hold any water when we both look at the quran.

Answer 7

I like Yusuf Ali's translation of the Quran. Keep an eye out for that.

Answer 8

Ask a Muslim to bring a Qur'an for you from Makkah or any Gulf country, the Qur'ans that we have in the Gulf are all printed in Makkah which means that they are the HONEST ones. I do not trust other sources.

****** Give me your full address and I will try my best to send you one.

Answer 9

Go to a mosque and get a copy!!! There are many islamic neighborhoods in every city and they would welcome someone wishing to learn about their faith. You want to speak to an Islamic priest, I think they are called an Iman...you could try a nearby university who might have an islamic student group that can help you.

Answer 10

The Yusuf Ali translation is considered good among Muslims, so maybe go with that one.