Mistranslations of Islamic Scripture (English): Difference between revisions

The same Arabic phrase appears in the other versions of the farewell sermon. The translators of Sunan Abu Dawud and al-Tabari's History both render it 'beat them, but not severely'.

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|pp. 112-113}}|"Now then, O people, you have a right over your wives and they have a right over you. You have [the right] that they should not cause anyone of whom you dislike to tread on your beds; and that they should not commit any open indecency. If they do, then Allah permits you to shut them in separate rooms '''and to beat them, but not severely'''. If they abstain from [evil], they have the right to their food and clothing in accordance with the custom. Treat women well, for they are [like] domestic animals with you and do not possess anything for themselves. You have taken them only as a trust from Allah, and you have made the enjoyment of their persons lawful by the word of Allah, so understand and listen to my words, O people.}}

In the following hadith it says Muhammad struck Aisha on the chest which caused her pain (فَلَهَدَنِي فِي صَدْرِي لَهْدَةً أَوْجَعَتْنِي). On sunnah.com it says Muhammad gave Aisha a nudge on the chest which she felt. While the translations for Sahih Muslim have been provided by Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, the translation of this particular hadith has been altered without informing the reader. The original translation can be found [https://archive.org/details/SahihMuslim-IslamicEnglishBook.pdf/page/n537/mode/2up here].

===Muhammad has been made victorious with terror===

In the following hadith Muhammad says he has been made victorious with terror (نُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ). On sunnah.com this has been changed to 'awe'. While the translations for Sahih Bukhari have been provided by Muhsin Khan, the translation of this particular hadith has been altered without informing the reader. The original translation can be found [https://archive.org/details/the-translation-of-the-meanings-of-sahih-al-bukhari-translated-by-dr.-muhammad-muhsin-khan/page/n1629/mode/2up here].

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I have been sent with the shortest expressions bearing the widest meanings, and I have been made victorious with '''awe''' (cast in the hearts of the enemy), and while I was sleeping, the keys of the treasures of the world were brought to me and put in my hand." Abu Huraira added: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) has left the world and now you, people, are bringing out those treasures (i.e. the Prophet (ﷺ) did not benefit by them).}}

In the following hadith Muhammad prophesies that Arabia becomes or reverts to (تَعُودَ) meadows and rivers. Sunnah.com uses Abdul Hamid Siddiqui's translation for Sahih Muslim which uses the word 'becomes', yet this translation has been altered such that it says 'reverts to'. The altered translation implies that Muhammad knew Arabia once was not a desert. Both translations can be used, but the translation was altered without informing the reader. The original translation can be found [https://archive.org/details/SahihMuslim-IslamicEnglishBook.pdf/page/n561/mode/2up here].

The Last Hour will not come before wealth becomes abundant and overflowing, so much so that a man takes Zakat out of his property and cannot find anyone to accept it from him and till the land of Arabia '''reverts to''' meadows and rivers.}}