Pickthall's translation
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Feeling the need for a pocket-sized Quran translation, I recently purchased a paperback copy of the Glorious Quran
by Mohammad Marmaduke Pickthall. I understand that this translation doesn't have the accuracy of the Reformist
translation as Pickthall most likely referred to the hadith/sunnah/etc. when rendering verses like 434. However,
overall so far (i'm only up to surah 25) I find this translation aesthetically appealing as it seems to have a King
James Version-like style to it.While I'm aware that I shouldn't choose Quran translations based soley on the translator's literary style, and as
with the other translations I own I'll be referring to the Reformist translation (among others) for the verses that I
feel need clarification, my question is has anyone here read or refer to Pickthall's translation of the Quran. Any
critisms or comments on this particular translation that you'd like to share?Thank you for your time.
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I often use that translation, amongst others (mainly using this link http//www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/ ) and it's decent. I dont particularly like the old English sometimes but that's not too bad.
Most translations are fine, as long as one utilises an intelligent approach to their study. See www.studyquran.org for tool to empower
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Feeling the need for a pocket-sized Quran translation, I recently purchased a paperback copy of the Glorious Quran
by Mohammad Marmaduke Pickthall. I understand that this translation doesn't have the accuracy of the Reformist
translation as Pickthall most likely referred to the hadith/sunnah/etc. when rendering verses like 434. However,
overall so far (i'm only up to surah 25) I find this translation aesthetically appealing as it seems to have a King
James Version-like style to it.
While I'm aware that I shouldn't choose Quran translations based soley on the translator's literary style, and as
with the other translations I own I'll be referring to the Reformist translation (among others) for the verses that I
feel need clarification, my question is has anyone here read or refer to Pickthall's translation of the Quran. Any
critisms or comments on this particular translation that you'd like to share?
Thank you for your time.Peace,
With all due Respect, welcomeCompare the Arabic words in 538 and 1231 and then do the same with 2238 with 6828 and then read these links, God willinghttp//free-minds.org/women/beating.htm
http//free-minds.org/articles/quranic/malak.htm
(It seems that i can't find articles regaring fasting, from brothers Ayman and Layth, but InshaAllah i'll send them when i find them. God willing.)You might wanna compare and verify 538 with 1231.
The thief, male or female, you shall mark their hands as a punishment for their crime, and to serve as an example from GOD. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
When she heard of their gossip, she invited them, prepared for them a comfortable place, and gave each of them a knife. She then said to him, "Enter their room." When they saw him, they so admired him, that they cut their hands. They said, "Glory be to GOD, this is not a human being; this is an honorable angel."Also - 2185 Full Moon of Scorching Heat or Full Month?????
2185. The full moon of scorching heat is when the reading was descended as a guidance for people and clarifications from the guidance and the criterion, so whomever witnesses the full-moon, let him abstain it. And whomever was sick or traveling so a count of other days. The God wants to facilitate and not make it hard on you. And so complete the count and magnify The God for what He guided you and perhaps you would be thankful.2238 with 6828.
You shall consistently observe the Contact Prayers, especially the best balanced prayer, and devote yourselves totally to GOD.
The righteous among them said, "If only you had glorified (God)!"Finally; 434 The men are to support the women by what God has bestowed on them over one another and for what they spend of their money. The upright women are dutiful; keeping private the personal matters for what God keeps watch over. As for those women from whom you fear desertion, then you shall advise them, and abandon them in the bedchamber, and separate from them. If they respond to you, then do not seek a way over them; God is High, Great.
Glory be to our God.
Peace. jedi -
I agree with you newform, although there are a lot of crazy things in it, Pickthall's writing has a lot of feeling in it which makes some of his passages quite beautiful - like this one in chapter 84 -
Oh, I swear by the afterglow of sunset,
And by the night and all that it enshroudeth,
And by the moon when she is at the full,
That ye shall journey on from plane to plane.Compare it with the free minds translation
8416 So I do swear by the redness of dusk.
8417 And the night and what it is driven on.
8418 And the moon when it is full.
8419 You will ride a vessel upon a vessel.Pickthall may not have the command of Arabic of the Free Minds translation, but he seems to be very aware of the content and is better at expressing it poetically - afterglow, enshroudeth, at the full, from plane to plane.
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Thank you for the feedback people
Wakas This is a great link. The publisher's (of the Pickthall translation I bought) website has this version in print, which I thought would be useful, so this is nice that I can refer to Ali, Shakir and Pickthall at the same time online
Alen Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Mahmud_H I can't wait to get to chapter 84, this is what I was talking about!