w/salaam sister saba,
salaam br. wakas ... thank u for replying .. Ok .. I have an honest q ...a translation movement that cannot decide what 'salat' means, how do you think it will do? ...... will it not fail on the first hurdle? .....Saba
Assuming it cannot decide on what a word means, it would include notes that discuss the various options.
Personally, I do not think there would be much variance on the word "salat". For example, it is clear from Quranic and Classical Arabic dictionary usage it has a core meaning of: go/turn towards in a close/positive manner, commonly between two (or more) entities. Depending on context and the entities involved, this underlying meaning can become specific, e.g. blessing, prayer, eulogy, oration, supplication.
Once this is explained, a meaning would be chosen for the translation that tries to best encompass such a word. The goal of such a translation is to empower the individual with accurate information, allowing the reader to weigh and consider the options, then make an informed decision.
Do you have an objection?
Interesting .. so like footnotes you mean.
.. Would you then do the same with verses 9:128-29 where you would mention...there are groups such as 19 group / submitters that believe these verses are not from the Quran - inspired by satan ... i.e. include more and more footnotes? If you just want a translation and discussion on the words what is wrong with what
quran corpus is already doing? It allows for discussions on some words ..but tries to stay a word / word translation because it is in the footnotes that all sorts of problems occur. also wouldn't a meaning for salaat = go/turn towards in a close/positive manner not confuse ppl more? i mean they will then start to think ..hmm what does it mean here
.. does it mean blessing, prayer, eulogy, oration, supplication??? Will this not get more confusing??? I find the more choices you give of a word , the more the fluid nature of the text is lost and it gets more difficult to read. Also I do think that if you are going to translate a book in english you need people that can speak english natively or well and understand the book rather than mainly through dictionaries and tools...It is the pick and choose - cherry picking from dictionaries to suit your own views that causes a lot of the problems with such qur'anist groups. what do u think>?
I mean look at the carnage that took place here between you and br. Farouk Peru .. it turned into a slanging match.
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=601.msg2104#msg2104