Mistranslations of Islamic Scripture (English): Difference between revisions

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Mistranslations of Islamic Scripture (English) (view source)

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{{QualityScore|Lead=2|Structure=1|Content=3|Language=1|References=3}}
{{QualityScore|Lead=2|Structure=1|Content=3|Language=1|References=3}}
In Al-Hijr {{Quran|15|9}} [[Allah]] declared that the [[Qur'an]] is his [[revelation]] and he promised to preserve it and protect it from corruption. In {{Quran|16|103}}, {{Quran|44|58}} and {{Quran|54|22}}, [{{Quran-url-only|54|32}} 32], [{{Quran-url-only|54|40}} 40], it is emphasized that the Qur'an was revealed in straight forward, easy to understand, and pure Arabic. Islamic scholars agree that all that which is fundamental to Islam (particularly most of Islamic law) which is not contained in the Quran must have been preserved in the form of hadiths. However, translations of these scriptures have not always been rendered faithfully, particularly in recent times and especially when the audience concerned is that of a developed, first-world variety which likely holds to advanced notions of human rights and liberty.   
{{Quran|15|9}} declares that the [[Qur'an]] is [[Allah|Allah's]] [[revelation]] and that he promises to preserve it and protect it from corruption. In {{Quran|16|103}}, {{Quran|44|58}} and {{Quran|54|22}}, [{{Quran-url-only|54|32}} 32], [{{Quran-url-only|54|40}} 40], it is emphasized that the Qur'an was revealed in straight forward, easy to understand, and pure Arabic. Islamic scholars agree that all that which is fundamental to Islam (particularly most of Islamic law) which is not contained in the Quran must have been preserved in the form of hadiths. However, translations of these scriptures have not always been rendered faithfully, particularly in recent times and especially when the audience concerned is that of a developed, first-world variety which likely holds to advanced notions of human rights and liberty.   


Some of the most prominent and officially recognized English translators of the Qur'an (like Yusuf Ali, Dr. Rashad Khalifa and Muhammad Asad), however, have often mistranslated the most controversial and problematic verses in Qur'an. That these inaccurate translations are most common with verses that would be considered barbaric, unscientific, or crude in the West suggests that these mistranslations were not unintentional or due to some unique difficulty of the Arabic words used in these verses. Similar mistranslations have been observed in translations of the hadiths as well as in translations of other key Islamic texts, such as legal manuals.  
Some of the most prominent and officially recognized English translators of the Qur'an (like Yusuf Ali, Dr. Rashad Khalifa and Muhammad Asad), however, have often mistranslated the most controversial and problematic verses in Qur'an. That these inaccurate translations are most common with verses that would be considered barbaric, unscientific, or crude in the West suggests that these mistranslations were not unintentional or due to some unique difficulty of the Arabic words used in these verses. Similar mistranslations have been observed in translations of the hadiths as well as in translations of other key Islamic texts, such as legal manuals.  
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This verse states that men are in charge of women with what they spend on them, and have the right to direct them in life. Also in the same verse, women are told to obey men and if they don’t, then men have the authority to admonish them and if they persist in disobedience (or, read more literally, if the husband simply ''fears'' disobedience), then men may proceed to [[Wife Beating in Islam|beat them]]. Yusuf Ali, a prominent translator of the Qur'an, adds the word “lightly” in brackets, after “beating them”, presumably to reduce offense.
This verse states that men are in charge of women with what they spend on them, and have the right to direct them in life. Also in the same verse, women are told to obey men and if they don’t, then men have the authority to admonish them and if they persist in disobedience (or, read more literally, if the husband simply ''fears'' disobedience), then men may proceed to [[Wife Beating in Islam|beat them]]. Yusuf Ali, a prominent translator of the Qur'an, adds the word “lightly” in brackets, after “beating them”, presumably to reduce offense.


=== (23:14) Fetal development ===
===(23:14) Fetal development===
{{Quran|23|14}} presents a schema regarding the development of the human fetus. The following translations are taken from Pickthall an Yusuf Ali.
{{Quran|23|14}} presents a schema regarding the development of the human fetus. The following translations are taken from Pickthall an Yusuf Ali.


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{{Quote|1=[http://www.islamic-council.com/qurane/def1.asp Quran 23:14]|2=Then We created the nutfah (sperm-drop) into a clinging organism. Then We created the clinging organism into a bolus-like chewed-up mass of coherent body of matter. Then We created the bolus-like chewed-up mass into bones, and We dressed the bones flesh. Out of this We brought it forth as a different creation. So, blessed be Allâh, The Fairest of creators.}}
{{Quote|1=[http://www.islamic-council.com/qurane/def1.asp Quran 23:14]|2=Then We created the nutfah (sperm-drop) into a clinging organism. Then We created the clinging organism into a bolus-like chewed-up mass of coherent body of matter. Then We created the bolus-like chewed-up mass into bones, and We dressed the bones flesh. Out of this We brought it forth as a different creation. So, blessed be Allâh, The Fairest of creators.}}


=== (18:86) Sun sets in a muddy spring ===
===(18:86) Sun sets in a muddy spring===
Another example can be found in Al-Kahf.
Another example can be found in Al-Kahf.


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===(67:5) Shooting stars===
===(67:5) Shooting stars===
====Literal====


Here is the literal meaning of verse 67:5. It discusses the [[Jinn]] (mythical ethereal creatures that are described in Islamic scriptures as living among humans)<ref>Mawdudi, Sayyid Abul Ala, Tafhim ul Quran, Markazi Maktaba Islami, Delhi, 1995, vol. 6, p.110</ref> and stars from the "lowest heaven" which are used as missiles against any mischievous jinn that attempts to eavesdrop on conversations between angels.<ref>"...''The Jinns would go to the lowest heaven and listen to the Angels conversing amongst themselves about events of the Future which they heard from Allah. The Jinns would then inform the fortune-tellers. This is why before the time of the Prophet (saws) many fortune-tellers were very accurate in their predictions. However, upon the Prophet's arrival the heavens were guarded intensely by the Angels, and any Jinn who tried to listen was attacked by meteors (shooting stars)''..." - [http://www.islamawareness.net/Jinn/world.html The World of Jinn] - Invitation to Islam, Issue 4, January 1998</ref>
Here is the literal meaning of verse 67:5. It discusses the [[Jinn]] (mythical ethereal creatures that are described in Islamic scriptures as living among humans)<ref>Mawdudi, Sayyid Abul Ala, Tafhim ul Quran, Markazi Maktaba Islami, Delhi, 1995, vol. 6, p.110</ref> and stars from the "lowest heaven" which are used as missiles against any mischievous jinn that attempts to eavesdrop on conversations between angels.<ref>"...''The Jinns would go to the lowest heaven and listen to the Angels conversing amongst themselves about events of the Future which they heard from Allah. The Jinns would then inform the fortune-tellers. This is why before the time of the Prophet (saws) many fortune-tellers were very accurate in their predictions. However, upon the Prophet's arrival the heavens were guarded intensely by the Angels, and any Jinn who tried to listen was attacked by meteors (shooting stars)''..." - [http://www.islamawareness.net/Jinn/world.html The World of Jinn] - Invitation to Islam, Issue 4, January 1998</ref>
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*رُجُومًا (''rujooman'') - notice it is from the same root as رجم (''rajm''), meaning "stoning", which is the Islamic punishment for sex outside marriage. The Shaytan is also called "ar-rajeem" (الرجيم), "the stoned one", possibly because of this verse.
*رُجُومًا (''rujooman'') - notice it is from the same root as رجم (''rajm''), meaning "stoning", which is the Islamic punishment for sex outside marriage. The Shaytan is also called "ar-rajeem" (الرجيم), "the stoned one", possibly because of this verse.


====Accurate Translations====
====Accurate translations====


Here are the three most popular and readily available translations of this verse by Muslims.
Here are the three most popular and readily available translations of this verse by Muslims.
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