The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics Hardcovers) [Hardcover]

Muhammad A. S. Abdel Haleem (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Oxford World's Classics Hardcovers | Publication Date: July 1, 2004

One of the most influential books in the history of literature, recognized as the greatest literary masterpiece in Arabic, the Qur'an is the supreme authority and living source of all Islamic teaching, the sacred text that sets out the creed, rituals, ethics, and laws of Islam. Yet despite the growing interest in Islamic teachings and culture, there has never been a truly satisfactory English translation of the Qur'an, until now.
This superb new translation of the Qur'an is written in contemporary language that remains faithful to the meaning and spirit of the original, making the text crystal clear while retaining all of this great work's eloquence. The translation is accurate and completely free from the archaisms, incoherence, and alien structures that mar existing translations. Thus, for the first time, English-speaking readers will have a text of the Qur'an which is easy to use and comprehensible. Furthermore, Haleem includes notes that explain geographical, historical, and personal allusions as well as an index in which Qur'anic material is arranged into topics for easy reference. His introduction traces the history of the Qur'an, examines its structure and stylistic features, and considers issues related to militancy, intolerance, and the subjection of women.
Clearly written and filled with helpful information and guidance, this brilliant translation of the Qur'an is the best available introduction to the faith of Moslems around the world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Haleem has managed to transform the complex grammar and structure of the holy book into a form of modern English which reads easily and flows smoothly without taking liberties with the inviolable text. This turns the Qur'an into a book which allows English-speakers to peer further into the heart of Islam, from its basic precepts on, say, fasting, to its view of the after-life. This is crucial, not just for the growing majority of Muslims who do not speak Arabic as a first language, but for non-Muslims who are curious about this controversial religion.... Given the tension between Islam and the West, that is a blessing."--The Economist

About the Author

Muhammad Abdel Haleem was born in Egypt, and learned the Qur'an by heart from childhood. He is Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He is the Editor of the Journal of Qur'anic Studies.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192805487
• ISBN-13: 978-0192805485
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Muhammad Abdel Haleem was born in Egypt, and learned the Qur'an by heart from childhood. He is Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He is the Editor of the Journal of Qur'anic Studies.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

259 of 271 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great translation..., July 23, 2005

By 

A. Ort "aorto" (Youngstown, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics Hardcovers) (Hardcover)

I have approximately six different translations at home, including translations from Dawood (biased), Pickthall (a bit antiquated), Asad (great translation, a bit too rationalist) and one from Riyadh (not bad but definitely Wahhabi influenced).

So why another one? I picked it up from my local library and was moved. It is the easiest reading Qur'an I've seen yet but it does not take away from the impact of what it says. It really flows nicely and I find it reads so much more quickly than some others. I found no struggles to understand old English terms (Pickthall's) and no fighting with bracketed words (Asad and the Riyadh version) whose purpose is to help explain the deeper elements of the original Arabic. While in a few places, I longed for some of the more grand terms found in some of the other translations, on the whole this is a refreshing new translation in plain English.

A few footnotes in some pivotal places keep certain verses in context and help explain certain terms whose force may otherwise be missed. The introduction is brief but informative as the author goes into some detail about the difficulties in translating. My guess is that this is accurate and top notch as it is issued by Oxford and in his acknowledgments it is clear he has had many people ensure his accuracy. This is one to keep and should be one against which others should be measured.

165 of 173 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars easy to read, April 20, 2006

By 

informednow (cleveland, oh) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics Hardcovers) (Hardcover)

I am a non Arab speaking, non-Muslim who decided to read the Koran for myself to try to gain an understanding of what Islam is about. The first Koran translation I bought was the one I heard was the most popular by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. I liked the commentary in this one, but the translation itself put me off because it was done in old "King James style" English. I wanted a translation that was in modern English yet considered to be an accurate translation by actual Muslims. I heard about this translation by Haleem, bought it, and found it to be much, much easier to read and comprehend. I have heard it is accurate and faithful to the original Arabic, but I don't speak Arabic myself, so I hope that this is the case. The commentary in this translation is much less than Ali's and more to the point. If you are curious and don't like olde English, and desire minimal but pertinent commentary, this modern translation is the one to get.

185 of 199 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breakthrough translation of the Qur'an, September 10, 2004

By 

Kamran Pasha (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics Hardcovers) (Hardcover)

This is one of the best translations of the Qur'an on the market today. Prof. Abdel Haleem has done a remarkable job of presenting the Qur'an in modern English. His translation is easy to read and has just enough footnotes and commentary to explain context without overwhelming the reader with detail. Abdel Haleem has also avoided the mistake of most translators -- "creative interpretation" of the Qur'an in order to conform its meaning to their own religious beliefs or biases.

The translation also has very useful introductory sections that help non-Muslims understand how the Qur'an is structured. It's not a linear narrative like the Bible, but intentionally jumps around in time and space, like flashes from the facets of a diamond held up to the light.

I believe that this translation will be held as the new standard in Qur'an studies for the 21st century.