Impediments in Translating the Holy Qur’ān (Guiding Principles for Translation)

Abstract

English is an international language. Many attempts have been made to translate the Qur’ān into English by Muslim and non-Muslim scholars with different objectives. However, whatever their objectives are but it is not amiss to recall that the translation should be accurate and precise with possible human effort. On the other hand, Qur’ān is not an ordinary book; it is the very word of Almighty Allah. Of all great works, the Qur’ān is the least translatable, and Arabic is not at all easy to translate into a language which is so widely and radically different from Arabic in its structure and genius. The difficulty increases many times for an English translator due to the Qur’ānic I‘ejaz, its inimitable elitism, miraculous elegance, and grandiose cadence. Moreover, it is so rich in meaning, so pithy in expressions, so vigorous in style and so subtle in implications. Therefore the nature of the problems is multidimensional which ranges from inimitability to the I‘ejaz of the Qur’ān, the difference between the languages and culture, the need for bridging materials, prejudice, and lack of awareness of the sciences of the Qur’ān. To overcome these impediments, one should follow guiding principles which include sound knowledge of the sciences of the Qur’ān, deep awareness of the art of translation, and skillfulness of both the languages. This article illustrates impediments and problems while translating the Qur’ān and provides necessary techniques, requirements, tools, and guiding principles as the remedies of these problems for translators.