How Quran Translation Made the Text Accessible to Muslims

The Holy Quran was revealed in Arabic in the 7th century CE as guidance for all humanity till the Day of Judgment. While reading the original Arabic is ideal, translations into other languages have been crucial for conveying the Divine message to non-Arabic-speaking Muslims across the globe and helping them apply Quranic principles in their lives.

The Need for Translation

Classical Arabic was the lingua franca of the Middle East during Quranic revelation. But as Islam spread worldwide, scores of non-Arab Muslims were unable to comprehend Allah’s words in the original Arabic. Translation became imperative to avoid ignorance of Quranic teachings.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) permitted the Quran Translation of his hadiths for ease of understanding. This paved the way for translating Allah’s message as well for the wider benefit.

As Arabic declined as the common language of Muslim polities by the 10th century, the role of Quran translations into local languages grew vital for connecting common Muslims to scripture.

Milestones in Quran Translation

Some key milestones in translating the Quran include:

• 1647 – First Latin Quran translation by French linguist André du Ryer
• 1734 – First reliably direct Arabic to English Quran translation by scholar Mohammed Abdul Hakim Khan
• 1861 – Rev. J.M. Rodwell’s influential English translation with surahs arranged chronologically
• 1905 – First American translation published by Muslim convert Mohammed Alexander Russel Webb
• 1917 – Muhammad Ali pioneers modern English translation with commentary aimed at a wider Muslim readership
• 1930 – Indian theologian Abdullah Yusuf Ali produces a widely popular Quran translation using eloquent literary English
• 1996 – Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali and Muhammad Muhsin Khan release simplified English translation for mainstream Muslims

Benefits of Vernacular Translation

Some blessings Quran translation granted non-Arab Muslims worldwide include:

• Understanding Allah’s guidance easily for uplifting spirituality and practice
• Ability to memorize, ponder and study the Quran through comprehension of meanings
• Coming closer to the Prophet’s blessed sunnah by following the Quran’s instructions in their languages
• Correcting misconceptions or doubts in faith through clarification of verses
• Strengthening of unity among ethnically diverse Muslims united in following one Divine message
• Calling non-Muslims to Islam by allowing them to examine the Quran in familiar languages
• Spreading the miracles and literary beauty of the Quran through appreciable translations
• Facilitating education of Islamic sciences relying on the Quran for non-Arabic speakers
• Opportunity to benefit from the Quran no matter one’s circumstances or Arabic proficiency

Modern Translations Using Evolving Knowledge

Contemporary translators utilize modern linguistic knowledge to produce even more impactful translations:

• Applying an enhanced understanding of Classical Arabic’s grammar, rhetoric, vocabulary, etc. allows greater precision.
• Quranic Arabic’s complex structure is better maintained through linear translations instead of archaic non-linear approaches.
• Hadith-based exegesis and scholarly input ensure translations correlate with established interpretations.
• Evolution in target languages like English leads to rendering Quranic meaning into more accessible modern vocabulary and expressions.
• Sensitive passages are articulated in ways appropriate for diverse audiences using modern contextual insight.
• Greater collaboration between translators allows benefitting from multiple expertise for better consensus.

Translation Alongside Studying Arabic

Shaykh Muhammad Abduh said that reading only translation deprives people of the Quran’s true teachings. While translation conveys core messages, studying Arabic is still needed to fully unlock Quranic depths.

Balanced together, translation and Arabic allow maximizing benefits from Allah’s Message according to one’s circumstance and ability.

The Prophet (PBUH) described the Quran as a “rope of Allah” binding us to Him and to each other across cultures through its timeless message of truth, justice, and meaning. Reliable Quran translations help coil that “rope” around hearts worldwide.

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