Regarding Quran Translations by MR. AWAIS DURRANI

Quran can't be translated word by word but only through paraphrasing ---Some of the Quranic terms have special significance & it is not just possible to translate them not only in other languages but even in Arabic .The exclusively Quranic terms like Allah,Deen,Hamd,Kafir,Momin,Mushrik,Nabi ,Rahman,Raheem,Rasool,Salat,Zakat ,Sabr,Shukr ,Riba ,Saum ,Zikr ,Taqdeer etc can't be translated even in Arabic in one word ,as had been done by almost all the translators ,would only convey Biblical or conventional concepts which in many cases is contrary & far away from the concepts of the Quran.Arabic language is the richest language in the word . Just take one example ,Quran has used three different words while describing various stages of creation of the universe ,Khalaqa,Fatara,Bada'a while in English there is only one word--created which fails to express these stages .In general it is very difficult to translate a piece of literature & art from one language to another ;particularly Quranic terms ,The Quran retaining its force, beauty ,force,seriousness,& grandeur ,it is not just translatable .A language coins particular words according to the traditions of its people,culture,concepts & values ;so how could it be possible for English ,or for that matter ,any other language to give one word for a concept which did not exist in their culture ? So the necessity of retaining these words in Arabic & adding a Glossary of these terms is of paramount importance & must be kept in view .Quran can't be translated but its exposition can rendered paraphrase tically .It is worth-mentioning that our efforts are serious & honest to convey the pristine concepts .The original Arabic text of WAHI ,however is eternal & its interpretations during any span of time can't be taken as the last word,which shall to be left to the last man on this earth.As the Quran says -41/53--" The Truth of his Guidance shall ever continue to manifest itself in the outer space & within the human psyche till it is finally established .The reflection of any human error therefore ,should in no case be attributed to Allah's message Quran has been declared as His last message to mankind.As such it should embody a complete code of life & permanent values, which remain unalterable even with the passage of time & give guidance to all the problems which mankind would face for all times to come.This message should obviously be in such a language which,on the other hand,should be simple,clear,unambiguous & definite & on the other all-comprehensive ,deep, dignified & consciously superior .To meet this challenge & all the requirements ,Arabic seems to be the only language in the world having these unique characteristics .There appeared no rasool in Arabia in between the time of Ishmael & Muhammad the exalted .It seems that during all this time of three thousands years ,the arabs remained busy in enriching their language so that it should be capable of containing the last message of Almighty .Just imaginee that in Arabic language there are 80 different words for honey ,200 for snake,500 for the lion ,1000 for the sword & 5744 for the camel -(ref;- Cosmic Consciousness by Richard Mauvice Bucke ) So when Arab used he a particular word for camel ,the listener would know its age ,colour & all the numerous qualities.This was the language in which Quran was revealed neither poetry nor prose but with altogether a unique style ,its own rhythm ,with rare beauty & grandeur .It is sublime ! to translate such a language into another retaining its spirit ,its beauty,its force,seriousness depth & grandeur is just impossible.One may still make an attempt ,if it is only a piece of art or literature ,but when it contains a charter of human rights ,a book of universal constitution ,one has to be very very careful.As mentioned earlier that a language coins particular words according to its traditions ,culture, concepts ,& values ;so how it could be possible for English or for that matter any other language to give one word for a concept which did not exist in their culture?This difficulty is apparent when one reads Persian & Urdu translations-which per force ,retain original Quranic words viz Kafir,Momin, etc All these words existed in arabic language before the advent of islam,so the actual meanings of these terms were known to them,therefore the actual & specific concepts of all such terms must be known to the reader & their simple translation in English ,would either give Biblical meanings or negate the very spirit of the message .