Spreading Extremism

by Sheila Musaji

There is a Qur’an search site at http://www.quranexplorer.com which has Qur’an translations in many languages and recitals by excellent Qari’s.  However, in the English section one of the translations is by Dr. Mohsin, and this like the Hilali-Khan translation should not be made available or encouraged anywhere except possibly among Qur’anic scholars who understand the material and understand what is an actual translation and what is inserted commentary.

Immediately in Sura Fatiha this translation puts within the translation phrases that are not translations but commentary and anyone not knowing better would not know this:  Guide us to the Straight Way. (6) The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians). (7)

Sura 3 Al Imran (113) They believe in Allâh and the Last Day; they enjoin Al-Ma’rûf (Islâmic Monotheism, and following Prophet Muhammad SAW) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and opposing Prophet Muhammad SAW); and they hasten in (all) good works; and they are among the righteous.

Also the Yusuf Ali translation that they include is the Saudi revision done after Yusuf Ali’s death.  This only takes a minute to determine as Yusuf Ali translated Allah as God throughout, this one does not.

I don’t know who the people are who did this site.  The information on the site says only:  QuranExplorer.com was started in October, 2005 by a group of Sunni Muslims living in Orlando, Florida, USA.  No names, nothing.

Perhaps they mean well, but including such questionable translations is more than problematic.

SEE ALSO:

Hilali-Khan Qur’an Translation, Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/through_the_looking_glass_hilali_khan_quran_translation/
On the New Revised Edition of Yusuf Ali’s Qur’an Translation, Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, Ph.D.  http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/book_review_on_the_new_revised_edition_of_yusuf_alis_quran_translation/
Playing into the Hands of the Extremists? (Hilali-Khan Qur’an Translation), Dr. Robert D. Crane http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/quran_playing_into_the_hands_of_the_extremists_hilali_khan_quran_translatio/