Impossible to mistranslate the Quran?

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- TheLastKnight
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Impossible to mistranslate the Quran?
OP - May 21, 2010, 10:07 PM

Often, when you discuss some of the less pleasent parts of the Quran with a Muslim, they will often say that the translation is completely wrong, and that you have to read the original Arabic text to fully understand it. But unless I am completely mistaken, in order to defend their religion, they are actually blaspheming against Allah!

According the Quran, surah 15, ayah 9:
Quote
Sahih International
Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian.
Pickthall
Lo! We, even We, reveal the Reminder, and lo! We verily are its Guardian.
Yusuf Ali
We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).

Doesn't this verse say that Allah won't allow the Quran to be changed? Surely this includes translating it into other languages?
And if Allah really is guarding the Quran, does this mean it is impossible for me intentionally mistranslate it myself, or is this just constrained to the general interpretation among the Muslims around the world?

What are the general opinions regarding this verse.
As always I am looking forward to your answers!

Carl Sagan (pbuh) bless you all.

Bukhari 62:142 - Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet used to pass by (have sexual relation with) all his wives in one night, and at that time he had nine wives.
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Re: Impossible to mistranslate the Quran?
Reply #1 - May 21, 2010, 10:40 PM

This is an argument we make a lot. The fact is, the friggin book must be interpreted no matter what!!!
Even if you could read Arabic, Muslims would say that you would need to have it interpreted for you by a scholar. Otherwise, of course, everyone will come up with a different interpretation. hehehe!

Muslims will never accept defeat. They always have excuses. They start with the position that Islam and the Quran is true, therefore everything else is false.
See this thread if you have the time (and haven't seen it already): 28 Messages Later!!

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Re: Impossible to mistranslate the Quran?
Reply #2 - May 21, 2010, 10:45 PM

Religion and circular logic are like Hindu lovers. Bound to search for each other through lifetimes.

So once again I'm left with the classic Irish man's dilemma, do I eat the potato or do I let it ferment so I can drink it later?
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Re: Impossible to mistranslate the Quran?
Reply #3 - May 21, 2010, 10:56 PM

That verse simply means that the Arabic Quran won't be corrupted. Although, it's meanings have changed and do vary.

Variant readings produce different meanings, like Harut and Marut being referred to as two kings/angels or verses giving different verbs like teach/know, kill/fight, etc.

I have to wonder what version of the Quran Allah has.
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Re: Impossible to mistranslate the Quran?
Reply #4 - May 21, 2010, 11:01 PM

The original quran cant be changed like the Bible - thats what its saying. In fact thats the whole reason Islam came about as the original message got corrupted.

This is despite the fact that we all know that the Quran has/was. If you dont, then read the origins section of the quran in my blog or youtube videos..

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Re: Impossible to mistranslate the Quran?
Reply #5 - May 22, 2010, 09:34 AM

Okay, thanks for answers. I'll have to try and remember this verse for the next time someone accuses me of mistranslating.
Might not do that much good on it's own, but it's always nice to keep them running for cover further and further away from absolute certainty.

I did read the posts about how the original Quran was recorded on rocks and bones etc. but I have also heard Muslims talking about what a miracle it was that it still was perfectly preserved despite all that.

Bukhari 62:142 - Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet used to pass by (have sexual relation with) all his wives in one night, and at that time he had nine wives.
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Re: Impossible to mistranslate the Quran?
Reply #6 - May 22, 2010, 09:47 AM

Quote from: TheLastKnight on May 21, 2010, 10:07 PM
Often, when you discuss some of the less pleasent parts of the Quran with a Muslim, they will often say that the translation is completely wrong, and that you have to read the original Arabic text to fully understand it. But unless I am completely mistaken, in order to defend their religion, they are actually blaspheming against Allah!

According the Quran, surah 15, ayah 9:
Doesn't this verse say that Allah won't allow the Quran to be changed? Surely this includes translating it into other languages?
And if Allah really is guarding the Quran, does this mean it is impossible for me intentionally mistranslate it myself, or is this just constrained to the general interpretation among the Muslims around the world?

What are the general opinions regarding this verse.
As always I am looking forward to your answers!

Carl Sagan (pbuh) bless you all.

The traditional view of the scholars is that the Qur'an is only the original "Arabic Qur'an".

Translations are classed with Tafseer. In other words they are "interpretations" of the meaning and no longer "Qur'an".
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Re: Impossible to mistranslate the Quran?
Reply #7 - May 22, 2010, 09:56 AM

obviously "Allah" did not know that English will be the No 1 language in 1400 years, otherwise he would have chosen James Bond from London (PBUH).

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Re: Impossible to mistranslate the Quran?
Reply #8 - May 22, 2010, 10:08 AM

Quote from: TheLastKnight on May 22, 2010, 09:34 AM
I did read the posts about how the original Quran was recorded on rocks and bones etc. but I have also heard Muslims talking about what a miracle it was that it still was perfectly preserved despite all that.

And how do they know? Also how do they know the Bible was not perfectly preserved? All sounds like circular logic to me.

Might as well say the Quran is the word from God. How do you know? Because it says so

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Re: Impossible to mistranslate the Quran?
Reply #9 - May 22, 2010, 10:58 AM

I never said it was good reasoning, but to them it must be true because it says in the Quran.

Quote from: Hassan on May 22, 2010, 09:47 AM
The traditional view of the scholars is that the Qur'an is only the original "Arabic Qur'an".

Translations are classed with Tafseer. In other words they are "interpretations" of the meaning and no longer "Qur'an".

In my opinion this strongly violates the idea that this is the final message of God intended for all people on earth.
But, still it's good to know what they actually think of this.

Quote from: RIBS on May 22, 2010, 09:56 AM
obviously "Allah" did not know that English will be the No 1 language in 1400 years, otherwise he would have chosen James Bond from London (PBUH).

The Quran should have been revealed in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, English and Hindi as well as Arabic.
The alleged prophet of Islam wouldn't have needed to understand it, just record it.
Now that would have been a convincing miracle!

Bukhari 62:142 - Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet used to pass by (have sexual relation with) all his wives in one night, and at that time he had nine wives.
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