The Quran - Hardcover

Translation of the Qur'an, the holy book of Muslims, from its original Arabic has been for a long time an issue of controversy in Muslim countries and a subject of serious discourse among Islamic scholars and theologians. It may be reasonably claimed that translations of the Qur'an are merely subjective attempts to render its meaning. Khan, a former Pakistani foreign minister and an international lawyer, presents a translation that is clear and simple to comprehend to a wide English-speaking audience. The Arabic text is included on the same page side by side with the English rendering. Divided into 114 chapters called "suras" and arranged in increasing order of length, the book contains the collected revelations of the Prophet Muhammad, transmitted to him by the Angel Gabriel. Khan's translation includes a lengthy introduction (about 50 pages) that sheds some light on what a lay reader should know about the Qur'an, according to the translator, and is meant in lieu of explanatory notes in single chapters. Recommended for all collections.?Ali Houissa, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, N.Y.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Reading English editions of the Qur'an was once a difficult undertaking for the non-specialist general reader, requiring copious explanatory notes to supplement the text. Muhammad Kahn's new translation of the Arabic text remains strictly faithful to the text in meaning, but is unique in its clarity and precision in English. The result is clearer comprehension and free-flowing text. The verses are not broken up, but are grouped into larger paragraphs combining a set of verses, all properly identified for ease of reference. This complete and accurate translations succeeds in making the study of the Qur'an broadly accessible to the English-speaking readership, with lasting value for beginning students, scholars, teachers, and anyone with an interest in learning more about the sacred scripture of Islam. Highly recommended. -- Midwest Book Review