On the Shabbir Ahmed translation

[Shahmatt]

I've stumbled on the Shabbir Ahmed translation as one that's perhaps near to JI's views.

His translation is view-able on the islamawakened.com website.

Also it is available in book form here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974787981

Please do not take my word for this and exercise caution at all times.

[Joseph Islam]

Dear Shahmatt,

As-salam alaykum

Thank you for the mention of caution which I would respectfully like to elaborate from my perspective below.

With respect, Dr Shabbir and I have very different theological positions. I cannot give credence to many areas of his thought as I find them academically unwarranted.

Furthermore, the QXP is not a translation. It is an interpolation at best with many renditions / interpolations supporting Dr Shabbir's own theological positions with supportive text which do not exist in the Arabic reading of the Quran. However, I feel that Dr Shabbir himself gives out many mixed messages whilst referring to his QXP.

For example, whilst describing the QXP on the ourbeacon website, Dr Shabbir refers to his rendition as an 'English translation, understanding and tafsir'. However, when describing the QXP Audio which is based on the QXP itself, he refers to it as an 'English translation' (link) [1]

• QXPv (THE QUR’AN AS IT EXPLAINS ITSELF (Fifth Edition)
  English translation, understanding and tafsir
  
  QXPv with ARABIC TEXT (THE QUR’AN AS IT EXPLAINS ITSELF (Fifth Edition)
  English translation, understanding and tafsir
  
  QXP Audio
  The entire QXP English translation is read by Mujtahid Iran in 24 CDs. It is a great company when you are driving, doing chores or just relaxing.
  
  (Bold Black emphasis mine)

The QXP does invite strong criticism as can be seen in the following link (here). However, proponents that are quick to defend Dr Shabbir readily point out that his work is not a translation by citing his preface. See link (here) [2]


"QXP is a Tasreef-based understanding of the Qur’an presented in contemporary English that is easy enough even for teenagers. It is not a literal translation."

(Bold Black emphasis mine)


However, the mixed message is compounded when Dr Shabbir himself refers to his rendition as a 'translation' in a dedicated post. Please see link (here) [3]

• QXP - TRANSLATION BY SHABBIR AHMED, M.D.
  Post Details:
  By:*Dr Shabbir, Florida
  Date: Friday, 29 June 2012, 12:31 pm
  In Response To: Comparing translations - RK (*Dr Shabbir, Florida)
  
  (Bold Black emphasis mine)

Now as regards Dr Shabbir's claims of 'tasreef', I have discussed this matter in the link (here). [4]

An excerpt of note which shares my perspective reads thus:

"...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."

The QXP is a rendition as how Dr Shabbir views the message of the Quran and with respect, I find little to no warrant for many of his interpolations that pervade his work. As the QXP rendition is clearly not a translation, I respectfully suggest that one must exercise extreme caution whilst studying this work as at times (as noted), the impression that is given is that the QXP is a translation. As noted, this is certainly not the case.

There is criticism of his work on the Internet and I personally never recommend the QXP as a translation to anyone. I also do not recommend it purely based on many of Dr Shabbir's theological assertions which are brazenly read into his renditions which I respectfully find wholly unwarranted.

I also find from an academic perspective, great cause for concern as to the language Dr Shabbir at times employs, and the lack of credibility of his dubious material that he at times shares. I have written a critical analysis of one such example (here) [5], where he unduly criticised Imam Razi. Even Wikipedia has a dedicated section of a similar criticism (here) [6].

I have also responded to what I feel are Dr Shabbir's unwarranted claims of ritual prayer being a later invented practice with Persian Zoroastrian influence which did not take canon until 787 CE (approximately 150 years after the death of the Prophet) (here). [7] From an academic perspective, I have also responded to what I felt were outlandish claims with regards basic words in Arabic (here) [8].

I hope this clarifies my humble perspective, God willing.
Joseph


REFERENCES:

[1] Ourbeacon.com, Ourbeacon Products (By:*Dr. Shabbir, Florida) online [accessed 11th July 2014]
http://www.ourbeacon.com/wordpress/?page_id=24
[2] Freeminds.org, A Quranist and Quran translation tampering QXP online [accessed 11th July 2014]
http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=15129.msg142604#msg142604
[3] Comparing translations - QXP by Shabbir, Post by Dr. Shabbir online [accessed 11th July 2014]
http://www.galaxydastak.com/cgi-bin/bbs60x/webbbs_config.pl/md/read/id/314123119178862
[4] Quransmessage.com; Tasreeful Ayaat online [accessed 11th July 2014]
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=393
[5] ACADEMIC DISHONESTY - DR. SHABBIR AHMED
http://quransmessage.com/expose/dr-shabbir-razi%20FM3.htm
[6] Shabbir Ahmed (writer) – Wikipedia, Criticism, online [accessed 11th July 2014]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabbir_Ahmed_(writer)
[7] WAS RITUAL PRAYER A PRACTICE INVENTED LATER?
http://quransmessage.com/articles/invented%20prayer%20FM3.htm
[8] UNWARRANTED CLAIM - DR. SHABBIR AHMED  - CLAIM: ONLY CAMELS CAN BE SACRIFICED
http://quransmessage.com/expose/dr-shabbir-camels%20FM3.htm

[Shahmatt]

Thank you very much for the comprehensive rebuttal.

It seems that my comment on caution was more apt than I initially perceived. :-o