With the increasing need to understand and analyze the meanings of the Holy Quran in light of modern challenges, Translation of the Quran into other languages has become vital to communicate with the outside world and spread the divine message to all parts of the world.
In this context, the Translation of the Quran includes several methods and tools to ensure accuracy and correct understanding of meanings, and translators must be careful in translating religious and legal concepts and adhere to the principles of interpretation.
In this article, we will talk about the importance of translation of the Quran and its role in spreading the divine message, and how accuracy and correct understanding of Quranic meanings can be achieved by translating them into other languages.
Meaning of translation
Translation is the process of converting text or speech from one language to another. This is usually done by an interpreter who knows both languages and converts meaning and ideas from the original language to the target language accurately and effectively,
and this requires skills in understanding the culture, expressions, and vocabulary in both languages, as well as the ability to communicate effectively between languages. The translation of the Qur’an was defined as the interpretation of speech with its meaning in a language other than its original language.
What is the importance of the Translation of the Quran?
The Holy Quran is the holy book of Islam and is considered the main source of Islamic teachings, ethics, and values. Although the Holy Quran was revealed in Arabic, it is considered of utmost importance to translate its meanings into other languages to benefit from it and enable people to understand what it contains, and here are some of the reasons why Translation of the Quran is important:
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Provide a correct understanding of Islamic teachings
People who are not fluent in Arabic can understand the meanings of the Qur’an and learn about its basic teachings and key Islamic values.
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Contribute to the spread of Islam
The translation of the Quran helps to spread Islam throughout the world and disseminate its meanings and teachings.
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Preserving Islamic values
Proper translation of the Quran can help preserve and disseminate Islamic values and teachings in different societies.
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Provide a source for study and research
Translation of the Quran provides an important source for the study, research and critical analysis of the Qur’anic text, and can help understand the historical and cultural background of the Qur’an.
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Facilitating study
Translation of the Quran is a way to facilitate the study of the Qur’an for non-Arabic speakers, and this helps to increase understanding and awareness of the meanings mentioned in the Holy Quran.
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Calling to Islam
Translation of the Quran is an effective way to introduce Islam, and this helps to achieve the main goal of Islam in spreading the religious message.
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Conditions to be met by Translation of the Quran
Translation of the Quran is a very sensitive and important process, as the translator must take care to preserve the original meaning of the text and interpret it correctly and accurately. Therefore, many conditions must be met to maintain the quality and accuracy of the translation, and below we will talk about some of the conditions that must be met by the translator during the translation of the Holy Quran:
1- Language proficiency
The translator must be well versed in Arabic, as the Holy Quran is considered a book in Arabic and contains vocabulary, expressions and linguistic styles specific to this language.
2- Cultural mastery
The translator must be interactive with Islamic culture and understand Islamic customs and traditions and legal rulings, and this helps him to understand the text and translate it accurately and correctly.
3- Historical mastery
The translator must understand the historical background of the Qur’an and the interpretation of the verses, and this helps him to translate the text in a correct and accurate way.
4- Scientific proficiency
The translator must be familiar with Islamic and other Islamic sciences and jurisprudential and exegetical concepts, and this helps him to understand and translate the text correctly.
5- Take care of the original meaning
The translator must take care of the original meaning of the Qur’anic text and interpret it accurately and truthfully, and avoid misinterpretation or distortion of the text.
6- Reference to linguistic and cultural differences
The translator must point out the linguistic and cultural differences between Arabic and the target language, and express Islamic ideas and concepts in a way that suits the society into which he is translated.
7- Stay away from intolerance and prejudice
The translator should avoid bigotry and bias in translating the text and be biased to the original meaning of the text and not to any personal orientation or opinions.
Here are some of the basic conditions that must be met by the translator:
1- The translation must meet the conditions of interpretation
The interpretation of the Holy Qur’an is sensitive and important, as the translator must be aware of the conditions of interpretation and use approved Islamic sources to analyze and understand the Qur’anic text correctly. This requires the translator to understand the literary and linguistic methods used in the Qur’an, and to recognize the religious, historical and cultural concepts contained in the text.
2- The translator should be away from corrupt tendencies
The translator must be independent and away from corrupt tendencies and prejudices, and avoid misrepresenting the Qur’anic text or interpreting it in an incorrect or erroneous way.
3- The translator must be proficient in the sciences of the Qur’an
The translator must be proficient in the sciences of the Holy Qur’an, especially with regard to the interpretation of the text, linguistic, grammatical, morphological aspects, and other Islamic sciences related to Islamic law.
4- The translator must be familiar with both languages
The translator must be familiar with both languages, Arabic and the target language of the translation, and have the ability to translate and express accurately and correctly without losing the original meanings of the text.
5- To write the Qur’an first, and then interpret it
The translator must write the Qur’anic text in the target language first, and then interpret it accurately and correctly and in accordance with the conditions of interpretation and approved Islamic sources.
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What are the sections of Quran translation?
When translating the Holy Quran, the process can be divided into several sections, including:
1- Linguistic translation
It means translating the Qur’anic text from Arabic into another language, and in this case the focus is on accurately conveying meanings and ideas, and preserving the literary and linguistic style in the Qur’anic text.
2- Interpretive translation
It means translating the Qur’anic text and understanding it in relation to its religious, historical and cultural meanings and concepts, and in this case the focus is on explaining and interpreting the Qur’anic text accurately and correctly, using approved Islamic sources.
3- Voice translation
It means translating the Qur’anic text into the other language in a phonetic style, in which case the focus is on conveying the performance and vocal rhythm of the Qur’anic text accurately and correctly.
4- Visual translation
It means translating the Qur’anic text into the other language in a visual style, in which case the focus is on conveying the image and visual illustrations of the Qur’anic text accurately and correctly.
Types of translation
The translation of the Holy Quran is the process of translating the original Arabic text into another language, and it can be divided into two main types: literal translation and interpretive translation.
First: Literal translation of the Holy Quran
It means translating the Qur’anic text accurately and correctly from Arabic to another language, and the focus in this type of translation is on transferring words, phrases and letters accurately and correctly, without changing or interpreting the original text. This type of translation is usually used in scientific studies and research.
One of the advantages of the literal translation of the Holy Qur’an is to provide an accurate understanding of the Qur’anic text for non-Arabic speakers, and one of its disadvantages is the reader’s inability to understand the accurate and deep meanings conveyed by the words in the Qur’anic text, because the Arabic language has methods of expression and suggestions that cannot be accurately communicated in the literal translation.
Second: Explanatory translation of the Holy Quran
It means translating and understanding the Qur’anic text in relation to its religious, historical and cultural meanings and concepts, and this is done through the use of approved Islamic sources to analyze and understand the Qur’anic text correctly, and to clarify the precise meanings and concepts conveyed by the Qur’anic text.
One of the advantages of the interpretive translation of the Holy Qur’an is to provide an accurate understanding of the deep and accurate meanings of the Qur’anic text, and to clarify the religious, cultural and historical concepts that the text talks about, and one of its disadvantages is that it may differ from one interpretation to another, as interpreters can differ in understanding some verses, and some interpretive translations may be influenced by the personal biases and beliefs of the translator.
It can be said that the interpretive translation of the Holy Qur’an brings a more accurate, correct, and deep understanding of the Qur’anic text, but it needs to rely on approved Islamic sources and employ qualified exegesis experts and scholars to carry out this type of translation.
The downside of interpretive translation is that it requires additional time and effort to produce an accurate and correct translation, and it requires cooperation and coordination between translators, interpreters, and scholars to achieve reliable results.
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Ruling on translating the Quran
About the issue of the ruling on translating the Qur’an, jurists argue that the literal translation of the Qur’anic text is forbidden by Sharia, while the interpretive translation of the Qur’anic text is permissible and even required by Sharia because it aims to understand the text, clarify its meanings and communicate its rulings to non-Arabs.
Translation is one of the difficulties faced by non-Arabs or non-native speakers of the Arabic language, especially when there is a desire to learn and memorize the Quran. However, the matter has become easy now as Wahion Youha Academy has started teaching non-Arabs the rules of the Arabic language, with the provision of simple educational courses that suit both Arabs and non-Arabs to learn the rules of language, the rules of recitation and intonation, and the correct pronunciation of the Quran.