Quran Translations Best / Worst (Fun and informative)
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I am curious to see which translations you feel rank the highest and which aren't so good and why.
For me my Favorites are
Best Ahmed Ali and The Message,
I reference Muhammad Ahmed & Samira a lot (because it is probably as literal as you can get),
Hamid S. Aziz is also a good one (haven't found anywhere but online, nice translation though.)
I just got, Tarif Khalidi, MA Abdel Haleem and Nooruddin but haven't read them through yet.
Worst I would have to say John Rodwell is a given. Hilali/Khan I think completely takes away the message of the Quran, relying very heavily on Hadith and place notes in the text itself (Sometimes not even in brackets!.)
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I haven't read many translations actually. So far, I have only read works by Yusuf Ali, Pickthall, Rodwell, Muhsin Khan and Indonesian version (done by the Department of Religious Affairs). Anyway... I think so far, Pickthall is the best. Yusuf Ali is easy to understand, though the translation is quite biased. I don't find Rodwell's work to be bad, actually. I find it to be quite poetic and strong.
And no comment on Muhsin Khan, I really think he made a new kitab by adding so many parenthesis, and the Indonesian version is just as bad (adding and deleting words in the Qur'an).
I now am trying to get Tarif Khalidi's version . Salaam.
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I haven't read many translations actually. So far, I have only read works by Yusuf Ali, Pickthall, Rodwell, Muhsin Khan and Indonesian version (done by the Department of Religious Affairs). Anyway... I think so far, Pickthall is the best. Yusuf Ali is easy to understand, though the translation is quite biased. I don't find Rodwell's work to be bad, actually. I find it to be quite poetic and strong.
And no comment on Muhsin Khan, I really think he made a new kitab by adding so many parenthesis, and the Indonesian version is just as bad (adding and deleting words in the Qur'an).
I now am trying to get Tarif Khalidi's version . Salaam.
Don't forget the Literal and Free-minds ones
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Most translations are fine if one uses a sensible approach, i.e. logic and the Quran study tools available.
I would agree though that Hilali/Khan is probably one of the worst, albeit it is fairly common.
In terms of physical copy, the one I read the most is by M. Abdel Haleem, mainly for its easy readability.
When I'm online I mainly use www.quranix.net which gives free-minds, Asad, QXP, RQT. If I had to choose a favourite, it would probably be Asad's, mainly for the logic/intelligence and explanatory notes.
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In terms of physical copy, the one I read the most is by M. Abdel Haleem, mainly for its easy readability.
I bought the Haleem version on the recommendation of quranicpath.com and have enjoyed it so far.
