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=2|Content=3|Language=2|References=3}}
{{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.   
{{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.   


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{{Quote|{{Quran|86|5-7}}|5. Now let man but think from what he is created!<BR>  
{{Quote|{{Quran|86|5-7}}|5. Now let man but think from what he is created!<BR>  
6. He is created from a drop emitted- <BR>  
6. He is created from a drop emitted- <BR>  
7. Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs:}}
7. Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs}}


The al-Azhar site translates the origination point of sperm as from "between the pelvis and breast bone"; neither of these translations, however, mention the role of the testes.
The al-Azhar site translates the origination point of sperm as from "between the pelvis and breast bone".


In {{Quran|2|10}} it says that unbelievers are creatures sick in their hearts and Allah increases their sickness, but the translation distorts the verse to exonerate Allah from playing this role.
=== (2:10) Sickness in the heart of disbelievers ===
{{Quran|2|10}} states that unbelievers are creatures with sickness or disease in their hearts and that Allah increases that malady. The al-Azhar translation distorts the verse, presumably to exonerate Allah from playing this role.


Another instance of distorted translation can be found in Az-Zumar.
=== (39:6) Fetuses in stomachs ===
{{Quran|39|6}} states that humans are created in the ''stomachs'' of their mothers.


{{Quote|{{Quran|39|6}}|He created you (all) from a single person: then created, of like nature, his mate; and he sent down for you eight head of cattle in pairs: He makes you, in '''the wombs''' of your mothers, in stages, one after another, in three veils of darkness. such is Allah, your Lord and Cherisher: to Him belongs (all) dominion. There is no god but He: then how are ye turned away (from your true Centre)? }}
{{Quote|{{Quran|39|6}}|He created you (all) from a single person: then created, of like nature, his mate; and he sent down for you eight head of cattle in pairs: He makes you, in '''the wombs''' of your mothers, in stages, one after another, in three veils of darkness. such is Allah, your Lord and Cherisher: to Him belongs (all) dominion. There is no god but He: then how are ye turned away (from your true Centre)? }}


However, the word "butun" which is translated in this verse as "womb", in fact means, quite clearly, "stomach".
The word "butun" which is translated in this verse as "womb" means "stomach".


The most widespread mistranslation of a single word throughout the Qur'an, is the Arabic word "[[The Meaning of Qatal|Qatal]]", which means to "kill", "massacre", or "slaughter". Yusuf Ali correctly translates it in An-Nisa’ {{Quran|4|157}} as "We ''killed'' Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah";- but they ''killed'' him not", but then distorts the same word as "fight" in At-Tawbah {{Quran|9|29}}, "''Fight'' those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day.", whereas the Arabic text reads "''Kill'' those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day". Yusuf Ali reproduces this translation in Al-Anfal {{Quran|8|39}} and several other verses.  
=== (9:29) Killing disbelievers ===
{{Main|The Meaning of Qatal}}
One of the most frequently mistranslated words in the Quran is the Arabic word [[The Meaning of Qatal|''qatal'']], which means to "kill", "massacre", or "slaughter". Yusuf Ali correctly translates it in An-Nisa’ {{Quran|4|157}} as "We ''killed'' Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah";- but they ''killed'' him not", but then distorts the same word as "fight" in At-Tawbah {{Quran|9|29}}, "''Fight'' those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day.", whereas the Arabic text reads "''Kill'' those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day" (emphasis added). Yusuf Ali reproduces this translation in Al-Anfal {{Quran|8|39}} and several other verses.  


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