/lit/ - Literature

Favorite Quran translation?

The main three in English are by Arberry, Pickhall and, Yusuf Ali (well actually the most common one is the Hilali-Khan translation, although that is completely due to Saudi shilling).

Arberry isn't a Muslim, although it is his field of expertise, which lead him to title his translation "The Koran Interpreted" (reason being is that Muslims don't consider translations of the Quran to be properly the Quran). It is a pretty literal translation and is widely extolled by academics. It aims to be beautiful and it certainly is, even if you aren't a Muslim you will deeply enjoy reading this translation.

24:33
>And let those who find not the means to marry be abstinent till God enriches them of His bounty. Those your right hands own who seek emancipation, contract with them accordingly, if you know some good in them; and give them of the wealth of God that He has given you. And constrain not your slave-girls to prostitution, if they desire to live in chastity, that you may seek the chance goods of the present life. Whosoever constrains them, surely God, after their being constrained, is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.

https://archive.org/details/QuranAJArberry

Pickhall was a talented English writer who converted to Islam. He titled his faithful translation, "The Meaning of the Glorious Koran". It's the one I prefer.

>And let those who cannot find a match keep chaste till Allah give them independence by His grace. And such of your slaves as seek a writing (of emancipation), write it for them if ye are aware of aught of good in them, and bestow upon them of the wealth of Allah which He hath bestowed upon you. Force not your slave-girls to whoredom that ye may seek enjoyment of the life of the world, if they would preserve their chastity. And if one force them, then (unto them), after their compulsion, lo! Allah will be Forgiving, Merciful.

https://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/pick/index.htm#contents

Yusuf Ali was a Shi'ite who converted to Sunni Islam. He was ardent Anglophile, which lead to his translation. The House of Saud endorsed this translation briefly before switching to a more Wahhabist translation.

>Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allah gives them means out of His grace. And if any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing (to enable them to earn their freedom for a certain sum), give them such a deed if ye know any good in them: yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which Allah has given to you. But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire chastity, in order that ye may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them, yet, after such compulsion, is Allah, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to them),

http://www.islam101.com/quran/yusufAli/