Salaamun Alaikum

I thought I'd post something for comparison. Same verses, various translations, not all of them such as Arberry, though. I'll put that in the next post:

PS- Cair is currently giving out free Qurans. They're also asking for sponsorship from Muslims for this free Quran project. See their website

Aragorn, I requested some free Qurans from the Saudi embassy a few years ago, and they were ALL hilali-khan ones. As far as I know, this has not changed, they *used* to be the Yusuf Ali ones about ten years ago.

I also disagree on the khan translation with you as well. I found it politicized in a certain direction. i don't recommend it. If someone is more interested in Quran language, there's several concordances available for purchase, but they tend to run high-cost (200 bucks etc)

Try "The Quran", a new translation by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem. Its a hard back and just published in 2004. You can find it at most Borders Bookstores. Islamic Law Prof. Khalid AboulFadal, UCLA Law School, highly recommended it to me. Ive really enjoyed it, and believe it would be a good start for non-muslims. For a non-muslim, issues of commentary shouldnt be the major issues, the less the bettter. Thats because commentary deals with issues of hermenutics. Most commentaries will not make reading much more enjoyable and clearer. Most of the reasoning that commentaries presented demand a certain logical approach that most non-muslims cannot relate to early on. Its the same reason that books on hadith are not usually the best things to give away to potential muslims. They can be ambiguous, contraditiory, and out of context. Try this Quran for starters, it will get the job done of presenting the beauty and flow of the Quran.

With all due respect, the problem with most of the suggestions is that they are going by "style" as opposed to content.

For example Muhammad Asad's Qur'aan may be good English, but he was an open Mu`tazili and had some extremely odd ideas. For example he did not believe the Israa' wa-l Mi`raaj (Prophetic Night Journey) ever took place literally. He believes it was an allegorical story which represented the Sunnah being transmitted to Greater Syria (wherein Jerusalem is) upon the conquests of Abu Bakr and `Umar ibn al-Khattaab (raDee Allaahu `anhumaa). There are many other completely erroneous suggestions in his translation and, therefore, it should be avoided.

Regarding Muhammad Ali's translation this should be avoided at ALL COSTS. This is a Qadiani (also known as Ahmadiyyah) translation of the Qur'aan which obscures the finality of the Prophet Muhammad's (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam) prophethood, as well as being unnecessarily deductive regarding the crucifixion of Christ.

The "Noble Qur'aan" translation of Khan and Hilali is the official "Salafi" or "Wahhabi" translation. Its English grammar and linguistic style are absolutely HORRIBLE, however, it is a relatively accurate translation, nonetheless. It might be good for a learned Muslim to use as a reference in English, but it is absolutely a NIGHTMARE to give out for da`wah. Also, this is NOT the translation that the Saudi Waqf gives out for free. What they give out for free is the modern Yusuf Ali translation. So please do NOT hesitate to take full advantage of Saudi Arabia's free Qur'an translations!

I haven't read Cleary's, Ahmed Ali's or some of the other translations mentioned, however, I personally believe Yusuf `Ali's translation to still be the best introductory translation. Unlike other translators from minority sects in the Muslim world, Yusuf Ali did not insert any bias in his translation. I believe he was a Bohri (a type of Sevener Shi`i), but you would never guess from the translation as it could be appreciated by Sunni and Shi`i alike. Of course there are mistakes in there, but none of them are all that severe. Best of all it is free, easy to read, and readily available in its entirety on the Net.

Ultimately, one will HAVE to learn Arabic in order to properly read and understand the Qur'an. English is a simplistic language which couldn't possibly capture the intricate nuances of the Qur'anic Arabic. There are many examples of this that are too numerous to illustrate here.

May Allaah give us all the insight to understand His infallible and uncreated Qur'an which is His speech and an Attribute from amongst His Glorious Attributes. Aameen.

Definately THOMAS CLEARY! I don't understand Arabi (soon insha'Allah) and it is the first translation that really and truly touched the depths of my being. The beauty of it is that it is so easy and inviting to read. The downside is that there is no commentary.

Salaams, I personally love the Yusuf Ali translation. If you had read and were able to understand older bibles. You shouldnt have a problem with Yusuf Ali. I would also stay away from the Saudi freebie aka the noble quran.

Pickthall was great for me personally, as was Shakir and Yusuf Ali.
Hey ssis Scorp!!!!!

Cleary, Arberry, Ali

NOT the hilali Khan one. No no no (it's also the "free Quran" put out by Saudi right now. They used to offer Yusuf Ali translations, but no more!)

Ahmed Ali all the way. I had converted in heart by the 5th surah.

I agree with brother Edgard. Thomas Cleary's and the Majestic Qur'an are really good ones

Thanks for the suggestions!

Salam,
Thomas Cleary "The Quran" A new translation" is very good. Also there is another translation "The Majestic Quran" translated by a group in Turkey and edited by others. It is printed in a beautiful format by An Nawawi Foundation run by Dr. Omar Farooq.

Don't give the older Yusuf Ali translation to non-muslims as it's very old and difficult to understand.

Edgard

go to whyislam.org and they will send a free Qur'an right to the persons house. They are a wonderful organization actually I believe the best with all the shahadas that are taken with them MashaALLAH. BarakALLAHU Feekum As-salam aleikum wa rahmatillah wa barakatuh