No Arab Muslim Specialist in Qur'anic Studies has made an English Translation.

Started by Ismail, January 31, 2014, 03:08:55 AM

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AbbsRay

Salaam,

I am confused... So brother Wakas wants to translate the Quran and include the bible in it? or get verses out of the bible to include in the Quran to make more of an understanding of the Quran that can not be translated? I saw something about that Allah shaped the earth in a egg form. Astagfer Allah that is a distortion of Allah's words, He would have said round if He wanted to, He does not need someone to speak or correct His verses to make it up to date on what they think it should say. THIS ANGERS ME VERY VERY MUCH! Brother Wakas, if you understand Arabic, Haram Aliak, Ittaqillah!!!!

Freeminds.org? No disrespect but Alhumduillah I know my deen and that I need to pray 5x a day. Not one living soul on the planet can ever convince me the Quran says differently about prayer  than the Five Allah mentions in the Quran. I  never go off reading the Quran as my only source, I listen to it, research it and ponder on it til my eyes are ready to pop out. And only than when I am convinced what the verse says I accept it.

I do follow Quran as my only source and never will I change my thinking on that. I do that because Allah commands me to in the Quran. If there was a verse in there that tells me to also follow his previous scriptures, I would have no problem doing that, but He doesn't that is why I am adamant on following the Quran ONLY. I am only Obeying and will never have wiggle room to justify any other option. For me I take my commands from Allah very seriously once the verse is clear to me, I rather die than disobey my Creator.  I also REFUSE to interpret meanings to justify my needs and wants, I refuse for someone to tell me I have it wrong without presenting the proof and I say on how the Quran has it. This is the only site I have ever come across that does that. I mean ONLY.


I will never distort  Allah's verses to make others happy or to justify how I want to live now that I know the truth about Islam. I never believed in the Hadith nor followed it being raised in a Sunni upbringing. But it will never ever will I start distorting my Creators words to liberate myself and fit in with society. I will NEVER be ashamed of being a Muslim and a mu'mina. I consider myself extremely lucky that I follow Islam the way Allah says to in the Holy Quran.

Many sites, and I will say freeminds.org has many misleading stuff on Islam and I have seen distortion and mistranslation of Allah's words which angers me more than anything. People in general do not realize not a person will help them when they face Allah and this is said to us in the Quran. Allah asks us to pray 5x a day, it takes me less than 15 minutes including wadu adding all the time together, I can not give Him that?

I like Dr. Khalifa for his efforts but distorting Allah's Quran to fit a number just does not go well for having people who put their trust in Allah and what He says that He protected the Quran from corruption of any kind. Who am I going to believe, my Creator or a man who says he met the prophets in Heaven when Allah descended him one night?

I even emailed the site and received a shocking reply that I am to follow and believe what the messenger, i.e, Dr. Rashid Khalifa, interpreted the verses in English and not to question his interpretation. We are to believe what he said in the meaning of the translation.  Yeah OK, I am going to define Allah and my absolute knowledge about a particular verse and follow like a sheep?  I will pass...

HasbunAllahi Wani'mal wakeel

Saba

Quote from: Abbsrayray on February 08, 2014, 12:59:47 PM
Salaam,

I am confused... So brother Wakas wants to translate the Quran and include the bible in it? or get verses out of the bible to include in the Quran to make more of an understanding of the Quran that can not be translated? I saw something about that Allah shaped the earth in a egg form. Astagfer Allah that is a distortion of Allah's words, He would have said round if He wanted to, He does not need someone to speak or correct His verses to make it up to date on what they think it should say. THIS ANGERS ME VERY VERY MUCH! Brother Wakas, if you understand Arabic, Haram Aliak, Ittaqillah!!!!

Freeminds.org? No disrespect but Alhumduillah I know my deen and that I need to pray 5x a day. Not one living soul on the planet can ever convince me the Quran says differently about prayer  than the Five Allah mentions in the Quran. I  never go off reading the Quran as my only source, I listen to it, research it and ponder on it til my eyes are ready to pop out. And only than when I am convinced what the verse says I accept it.


Salaam Abbsrayray,

Br. Wakas does nto believe in 5 prayers. I think he believes in only 2 and he has debated this topic numerous times on free-minds and directly with br. Joseph (who believes in 5 prayers). The debate with br. Joseph is here:

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=477.msg1501#msg1501

On the free-minds, he is constantly debating this topic and also puts out challenges like here:  A challenge to those who claim Quran states 5 salat daily  - http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9606088.0

He also debates the topic of 'SJD' a lot ..prostration and has his own meaning of what Masjid is which is also debated quite hotly on the free-minds forum.

I think it is sad and doesn't help us as quran followers when people are debating major base things of our religion such as the number of prayers or even if they exist.....can u imagine what kind of impression that would give to Sunni's and Shia's when they look at us and all this bickering ... they will say .. look !!! they can't even decide on the prayers ... hey I'm better being a traditionalist!!! .. anyway.. thought I'd share ..

Also.. if u don't mind me asking... where are you from and are you a fellow sis? I love your passion... Saba  8) :)







Wakas

peace all,

Abbsrayray,
translationmovement.com is an idea I have that may or may not go ahead. It entirely depends if the foundation is laid, hence it points to project root list. "ETA" means "estimated time (of) arrival". An accurate translation requires access to accurate tools, hence this approach. If it does go ahead, it would be a group effort: the larger the group the better. It would likely utilise a robust and verifiable methodology stated from the outset.
At the present time my preference is to provide tools/resources so that others can improve the accuracy of their Quranic studies. If a translation comes out of it, great, but if not, no big deal.
Also, you seem to confuse sites. For example, when you say you received a reply and they told you to follow Rashad Khalifa etc, what site are you referring to?

Daniel,
As said on the site, if it goes ahead it would be in English. It would be published online. It may be published in print, it may not.

Saba,
To me, whom the author is, is irrelevant, hence why I sometimes do not mention it. If someone asks, and it happens to be my work, I have no issue saying it is.
I believe the Reformist Quran Translation (RQT) is based somewhat on the free-minds.org translation. The authors of RQT are stated clearly on book sites that sell it. Edip Yuksel has no say in translationmovement (it's not even something to have a say in, at the moment, as it is not even begun) however that does not mean he will not have a say in the future, if it went ahead. The reason I linked to it was to get feedback on the idea/concept.
With regard to my views and discussions on free-minds, I think you exaggerated/misrepresented my position somewhat, but it is good you posted a link so others can read and make up their own minds.
Verify for yourself. www.Misconceptions-About-Islam.com

AbbsRay

Salaam Saba,

VERY SAD indeed people misinterpiting the Allahs beautiful words and spreading lies against our Creator. This is only leading people astry, but again if people want to behave like sheep than so be it. How clear can the Quran get? No one truely has access to the meaning nor understanding unless Allah grants them that, as Allah clearly repeats in His Holy Quran. I think this group will benifit going to Saudi Arabia and educating them about no hadith first and teaching the Talaban extremist...  ;D ;D ;D ;D

I am American, born and raised, and Live in the U.S. Both my Parents are Palestinian. I was brought up in a Sunni Muslim upbrining. Except there was no covering the head, and we had freedom to an extent, well as long as my dad did not find out that is. My mom was not your typical traditional muslim, I deeply feel she really never believed in the Hadith or what it says in there because I and some of my siblings broke every single rule that was in there and she just yelled at us and let it go.


I love Allah more than my own soul and I will never back down from correcting people when they are misrepresenting the Truth that is in front of their eyes.  I know what Allah is capiable of and I fear him to the CORE! He  has done me many favors and fulfilled my du'a that if I even put them down here, people will think I have gone delusional. (p.s Ismail, Cancer is cured by Allah even without ANY TREATMENT or URINE) Subhanahu

Mubashir

In his preface to QXP (Quran as it explains itself, Dr. Shabbir writes:

The author of the Qur'an is none but Almighty God. Before the reader is an
English rendition of the Glorious Book by Shabbir Ahmed (1947 to ?) an
ordinary servant of God.

The work, although close to translation, is more of an understanding from
within the Qur'an itself. This Divine Writ calls itself An-Noor (the Light) and
light needs no extrinsic sources to show itself. Therefore, I have based my
presentation on two principles:

1. Focusing on the language in which the Qur'an was revealed.
2. Making use of Tasreef, that is, how the Qur'an repeats its messages from
very diverse vantage points.

A diligent study of the Book using Tasreef helps us look at the Qur'an in its
Big Picture, and this method gives us a phenomenal advantage toward its
understanding.

I have rendered the terms and linguistics of the Qur'an using the Quraish
(Quresh) dialect of Makkah since it is the Arabic dialect in which the Qur'an
was revealed to the exalted Muhammad bin Abdullah, the Final Prophet,
Messenger and Apostle of God. [570-632 CE]

19:97 And only to this end We have made this (Qur'an) easy to understand in
your own tongue (O Prophet). That you might convey thereby glad news to the
righteous and warn people given to futile disputation.

Being a young member of the Saudi royal medical staff, I had the good fortune
of learning the Quraish dialect in the 1970s under the auspices of King Faisal
bin Abdul Aziz and King Khalid bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia. I was blessed
with the opportunity to learn Islamic theology in the University of Madinah
after having learnt the subject under the guidance of the celebrated names of
Qari Baqaullah and 'Maulana' Ehtishamul Haq Thanwi in Karachi during my
college days in the 1960s.

In addition, the opportunity to socialize with the Bedouins was certainly a
great advantage since even today they frequently speak the Quraish dialect.
Learning the dialect, by no means, amounts to absorbing the Saudi theology.
Some of the well-known western scholars who learned Arabic by socializing
with the Bedouins:

 In the 1810s - The Swiss Muslim traveler-explorer, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt
(Sheikh Ibrahim bin Abdullah 1784-1817). ..............

more at:

.........http://drshabbir.com/library/QXP200808iv.pdf

Would appreciate comments from those who know the language and the challenges it poses to translators.  Thanks.

Saba

Quote from: Wakas on February 08, 2014, 11:40:19 PM
Saba,
To me, whom the author is, is irrelevant, hence why I sometimes do not mention it. If someone asks, and it happens to be my work, I have no issue saying it is.
I believe the Reformist Quran Translation (RQT) is based somewhat on the free-minds.org translation. The authors of RQT are stated clearly on book sites that sell it. Edip Yuksel has no say in translationmovement (it's not even something to have a say in, at the moment, as it is not even begun) however that does not mean he will not have a say in the future, if it went ahead. The reason I linked to it was to get feedback on the idea/concept.
With regard to my views and discussions on free-minds, I think you exaggerated/misrepresented my position somewhat, but it is good you posted a link so others can read and make up their own minds.

salaam br. wakas ... thank u for replying  ;D .. 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

Saba

Quote from: Abbsrayray on February 09, 2014, 12:25:22 AM
Salaam Saba,

VERY SAD indeed people misinterpiting the Allahs beautiful words and spreading lies against our Creator. This is only leading people astry, but again if people want to behave like sheep than so be it. How clear can the Quran get? No one truely has access to the meaning nor understanding unless Allah grants them that, as Allah clearly repeats in His Holy Quran. I think this group will benifit going to Saudi Arabia and educating them about no hadith first and teaching the Talaban extremist...  ;D ;D ;D ;D

I am American, born and raised, and Live in the U.S. Both my Parents are Palestinian. I was brought up in a Sunni Muslim upbrining. Except there was no covering the head, and we had freedom to an extent, well as long as my dad did not find out that is. My mom was not your typical traditional muslim, I deeply feel she really never believed in the Hadith or what it says in there because I and some of my siblings broke every single rule that was in there and she just yelled at us and let it go.


I love Allah more than my own soul and I will never back down from correcting people when they are misrepresenting the Truth that is in front of their eyes.  I know what Allah is capiable of and I fear him to the CORE! He  has done me many favors and fulfilled my du'a that if I even put them down here, people will think I have gone delusional. (p.s Ismail, Cancer is cured by Allah even without ANY TREATMENT or URINE) Subhanahu

Salaams Abbsrayray ... thanks for sharing sis  ;D 8)

Saba

Quote from: Mubashir on February 09, 2014, 12:37:35 AM
In his preface to QXP (Quran as it explains itself, Dr. Shabbir writes:

The author of the Qur'an is none but Almighty God. Before the reader is an
English rendition of the Glorious Book by Shabbir Ahmed (1947 to ?) an
ordinary servant of God.

The work, although close to translation, is more of an understanding from
within the Qur'an itself. This Divine Writ calls itself An-Noor (the Light) and
light needs no extrinsic sources to show itself. Therefore, I have based my
presentation on two principles:

1. Focusing on the language in which the Qur'an was revealed.
2. Making use of Tasreef, that is, how the Qur'an repeats its messages from
very diverse vantage points.

A diligent study of the Book using Tasreef helps us look at the Qur'an in its
Big Picture, and this method gives us a phenomenal advantage toward its
understanding.

I have rendered the terms and linguistics of the Qur'an using the Quraish
(Quresh) dialect of Makkah since it is the Arabic dialect in which the Qur'an
was revealed to the exalted Muhammad bin Abdullah, the Final Prophet,
Messenger and Apostle of God. [570-632 CE]

19:97 And only to this end We have made this (Qur'an) easy to understand in
your own tongue (O Prophet). That you might convey thereby glad news to the
righteous and warn people given to futile disputation.

Being a young member of the Saudi royal medical staff, I had the good fortune
of learning the Quraish dialect in the 1970s under the auspices of King Faisal
bin Abdul Aziz and King Khalid bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia. I was blessed
with the opportunity to learn Islamic theology in the University of Madinah
after having learnt the subject under the guidance of the celebrated names of
Qari Baqaullah and 'Maulana' Ehtishamul Haq Thanwi in Karachi during my
college days in the 1960s.

In addition, the opportunity to socialize with the Bedouins was certainly a
great advantage since even today they frequently speak the Quraish dialect.
Learning the dialect, by no means, amounts to absorbing the Saudi theology.
Some of the well-known western scholars who learned Arabic by socializing
with the Bedouins:

 In the 1810s - The Swiss Muslim traveler-explorer, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt
(Sheikh Ibrahim bin Abdullah 1784-1817). ..............

more at:

.........http://drshabbir.com/library/QXP200808iv.pdf

Would appreciate comments from those who know the language and the challenges it poses to translators.  Thanks.


Salaaam br. Mubashir .. i can't imagine why you out of all people would share QXP like this, when i would expect u to know how Dr. shabbir interprets and misinterprets the qur'an in my view .....

With regarding Tasfreeful ayaat.. .. i agree with br. Joseph's view on this and the QXP where he says ...

QuoteFor example, albeit I agree with Dr. Shabbir's understanding of the concept, I with respect do not concur with many of his renditions in the QXP which he does in the name of 'tasreef al-ayat', yet which I personally find extremely outlandish. Students of the Quran can only give their perspective and allow the readers to discern.

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=393.msg1178;topicseen#msg1178

Personally I don't trust Dr Shabbir ... or his academic work .. For example, I shared my view here ...

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=949.0

Also ...Dr Shabbir's academic misrepresentation is shared here ...when he spoke about Imam Razi's horrible confession ..

http://quransmessage.com/expose/dr-shabbir-razi%20FM3.htm

Saba  ;D


Wakas

w/salaam sister saba,

Quote from: Saba on February 09, 2014, 01:21:17 AM
salaam br. wakas ... thank u for replying  ;D .. 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?
Verify for yourself. www.Misconceptions-About-Islam.com

Saba

Quote from: Wakas on February 09, 2014, 02:21:16 AM
w/salaam sister saba,

Quote from: Saba on February 09, 2014, 01:21:17 AM
salaam br. wakas ... thank u for replying  ;D .. 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


AbbsRay

Salaam Mubashir,

One studying the Quraish really does not give them the knowledge on the Quran nor the understanding. Heck a chinese speaking person can understand the Quran with no Arabic backround. It all comes down to how determined is one to chase and accept the truth?? When Allah says , It is complete and clear and easy to understand, it means just that... How clear does our creator needs to be? All this Qurasih is just another made up notion/excuse to make people believe why the Quran is complicated and not able to be understood and the reason they wrote a book $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ is to help others.

I understand what Allah is saying when I listen to in Arabic, even memorized 14 surats by listening to the Quran and not reading it. Even words that I do not recognize in Arabic, and do now.  I research them and study the Quran eventually Allah leads me to the truth of the meaning. It is all guidance from Allah. Anyone who says the Quran does not say Salat is 5x a day or the reason behind it is to just remember Allah, you think I would trust or even give my time to reading their book on the Quran? Alhumduillah I without doubt am guided in the right path and refuse to have others tell me what Allah says in the Quran. Anyone can achieve being guided to the light if they deeply want it and as Allah to guide them.  As for me, when the author of any Quran book for translation or talks about Islam when it contradicts what Allah says, lose all creditability and should never be trusted. As Allah says in the Quran, we are to be the judge of what He says in there and look for mistakes or contradictions, He challenges us to use our intellect meaning, we will not find any, because no one will believe in it or follow it if there was.


As for SA,  and other Arab/Muslim countries, The kings and monarchy system need to go. All these Islamic want-A-be Mohammed's need to be launched up to Mars and deserted there. This world will be a more peaceful world and one can practice Islam in their country as Allah intended without oppression and discrimination.

Saba

Quote from: Abbsrayray on February 09, 2014, 03:01:25 AM
One studying the Quraish really does not give them the knowledge on the Quran nor the understanding.

I agree with you sis. But imho ... all this talk of quraish is all a smokescreen. What quraish??? they haven't existed for upteen centuries!!! they were a particular tribe at the time the qur'an was revealed and Muhammad (saw) spoke in that dialect... And all this talk of dr. shabbir spending time in the desert and all to learn quraishi arabic ... have people gone mad? where are the quraish in the deserts now? and I bet you (not literally) my bottom dollar that NOT ONE.. not ONE of the those desert arabs that dr shabbir often refers to in his wild claims would understand salat the way he does as some form of keeping up divine commandments and not ritiual namaz/ He has so much prb with ritual prayers that you often see him talking against it and then sends out mixed messages imho.  Saba



Wakas

Quote from: Saba on February 09, 2014, 02:40:49 AM
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?

Yes, footnotes. I cannot say what verses would and would not have footnotes.

Quote
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.

If you mean corpus.quran.com then that is not a translation. It's primary focus is clearly stated on its homepage, quote:
QuoteWelcome to the Quranic Arabic Corpus, an annotated linguistic resource which shows the Arabic grammar, syntax and morphology for each word in the Holy Quran. The corpus provides three levels of analysis: morphological annotation, a syntactic treebank and a semantic ontology.

Quote
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???

If you feel it would be more confusing, that is you. I do not.

QuoteIt 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 agree. As I said, a robust and verifiable methodology would be stated from the outset. You will note that no Quran translation exists that has done this - to my knowledge. This is a critical flaw in my view.

Similarly, no Traditional scholar, to my knowledge, has studied the large corpus of Traditional Ahadith applying a robust, verifiable methodology consistently to this content. You may wish to ask yourself why that is and ponder upon 4:82.


Quote
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

I dont see the relevance. If your point is elements of the methodology will be disputed, then of course it will. It is impossible to agree upon every single thing with everyone. However, what one can do is state a clear methodology (once decided on), helping readers to weigh and consider a translation.
Verify for yourself. www.Misconceptions-About-Islam.com

AbbsRay

Salaam Saba,

I think he is referring to Bedouin Arabs when he says he spent time with them in the desert. They speak Arabic, we understood them when we went on an adventure to Palestine and in the desert in Jordan to see how they live.


Saba

Quote from: Abbsrayray on February 09, 2014, 03:41:35 AM
Salaam Saba,

I think he is referring to Bedouin Arabs when he says he spent time with them in the desert. They speak Arabic, we understood them when we went on an adventure to Palestine and in the desert in Jordan to see how they live.

Salaam Abbsrayray  :).... I would have had more respect for him if he just said exactly what you said .. but he says about himself ...:

"In addition, the opportunity to socialize with the Bedouins was certainly a great advantage since even today they frequently speak the Quraish dialect."

http://drshabbir.com/library/QXP200808iv.pdf

I mean I agree Bedouins speak Arabic .... but how does anyone know they speak the exact quraishi dialect from 1400 years ago???? I'm sure even amongst the desert people, words and expressions change over time. Isn't there a common Arabic that all arabic speaking nations use? but no one claims it is quraishi right?? pls correct me if Im srong sis as you will have more understanding of spoken arabic than me.... Saba  :)