The Free-minds Translation of The Quran - Questions about the authors
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Peace,
Actually we have two translations.
One is
The Messagewhich is a pure translation with no footnotes or appendixes. The other isThe Reformist Translationwhich includes explanations and appendixes.I had a question about the authors. I was wondering what was the extent of their education with regards to the Arabic Language? Where did they goto school, and how many years?
For myself, I am a native Arabic speaker. However, I would say that in the translation of the Quran, there was much cross referencing done within the Quran itself to find the most
accuratemeaning.And, at the end of the day, it is God who guides (or not) a person to understand His message - language is merely a facilitator.
Hi Layth, I couldn't help noticing some discrepancies in the translations which do seem to alter the meaning somewhat. To take the controversial 424 -
The 'Reformist Translation' goes "The women already married, except those whom you have contractual rights"
The Message "And the independent from the women, except those committed to you by oath"
Did you work on both these translations, and if so, is there a reason for this difference? Am I just naive, or is being married the opposite of being independent?
-
Peace,
Hi Layth, I couldn't help noticing some discrepancies in the translations which do seem to alter the meaning somewhat. To take the controversial 424 -
The 'Reformist Translation' goes "The women already married, except those whom you have contractual rights"
The Message "And the independent from the women, except those committed to you by oath"
Did you work on both these translations, and if so, is there a reason for this difference? Am I just naive, or is being married the opposite of being independent?
I worked primarily on The Message.
I understand why translators chose
marriedfor 424 as that is closer in their minds to a category that is forbidden. -
Peace,
And how is "the independent women" close to the category that is forbidden?
Because a woman may become independant from her family by virtue of marriage (be she married, divorced, or widowed). Therefore, if she is married, then she is off limits unless she is married to the person adressed (ma malakat aymanukum).
