No other book ever written, with the possible exception of the Bible, has so dramatically influenced the course of civilization as the Koran. Yet this important text remains little understood in the West. Since its first publication in 1955, Professor A.J. Arberry's translation has been the finest one available, its magnificently written verse making the Koran accessible to a Western audience. Professor Arberry has rendered the Koran into clear and lyrical English while carefully preserving the incomparable artistry of the Arabic original. "The Koran Interpreted" is universally recognized as not only the most authoritative translation but also the most beautiful one in the English language.
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Book Description
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About the Author
Arthur John Arberry, as Head of the Department of Classics at Cairo University, acquired a firsthand knowledge of literary and social conditions in the Islamic Middle East. Between 1947 and 1969 he served as Sir Thomas Adams Professor of Arabic at Cambridge University. He published some twenty books in Islamic studies during his lifetime, many dealing with mysticism and poetry. Professor Arberry died in England in 1969.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
99 of 100 people found the following review helpful
By Plotinus
Format:Paperback
If someone wants to read a version of the Koran in English, s/he ought to read one that has some literary qualities, and reads like a book ought to, rather than some kind of reference text full of odd punctuation, awkward and unusual expressions, brackets etc. To be sure, no one can give us a translation into English that will capture every nuance or connotation of the original Arabic, and no amount of bracketed dictionary entries inserted next to words will really help. These kinds of things detract more from the reading than add to it. I am very dismayed by the awkwardness of many of the other translations available for us, including that of Yusuf Ali, whose popular work, while praised for it accuracy, leaves a lot to be desired in the realm of style, enjoyment and ease of understanding.
Arberry's work, however, is simple, direct, formal and hits a mid-point between poetry and prose; in other words, tries as much as possible to present the Koran for English speakers the way the Koran would have functioned for listeners of Arabic.
To enhance the clarity of the translation, Arberry distinguishes between the second person plural and second person singular by making use of the word 'thou' and its accompanying grammar for the singular. This distinction is critical for determining when God is speaking about others and when He is speaking to the Prophet directly. This is surely the only sensible way to render the distinction, in a translation that wishes itself to be readable. Arberry does not use any other archaic words, such as 'ye' or archaic grammar such as 'he hath', but uses fully modern English throughout.
It should be noted that people who are bilingual and have actually taken the time to read through Arberry's translation have found it to be very accurate.
The fact that Arberry has no religious axe to grind makes the translation more reliable than the many sectarian translations put out more for the sake of publicizing particular beliefs than for the sake of producing accurate, well-written texts.
The educational value of this book is far greater than that of the awkward translations, since it presents a style worthy of emulation rather than one unnatural or strange.
Reading a good translation such as this one can help us not only gain wisdom, but also articulate this wisdom for others. The Koran is a work of divine rhetoric, and the more we can apply its lessons into our own lives and language, the more useful it will be for us.
I encourage you to read this translation above all others, if English is your native tongue.
Arberry's work, however, is simple, direct, formal and hits a mid-point between poetry and prose; in other words, tries as much as possible to present the Koran for English speakers the way the Koran would have functioned for listeners of Arabic.
To enhance the clarity of the translation, Arberry distinguishes between the second person plural and second person singular by making use of the word 'thou' and its accompanying grammar for the singular. This distinction is critical for determining when God is speaking about others and when He is speaking to the Prophet directly. This is surely the only sensible way to render the distinction, in a translation that wishes itself to be readable. Arberry does not use any other archaic words, such as 'ye' or archaic grammar such as 'he hath', but uses fully modern English throughout.
It should be noted that people who are bilingual and have actually taken the time to read through Arberry's translation have found it to be very accurate.
The fact that Arberry has no religious axe to grind makes the translation more reliable than the many sectarian translations put out more for the sake of publicizing particular beliefs than for the sake of producing accurate, well-written texts.
The educational value of this book is far greater than that of the awkward translations, since it presents a style worthy of emulation rather than one unnatural or strange.
Reading a good translation such as this one can help us not only gain wisdom, but also articulate this wisdom for others. The Koran is a work of divine rhetoric, and the more we can apply its lessons into our own lives and language, the more useful it will be for us.
I encourage you to read this translation above all others, if English is your native tongue.
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A.J. Arberry's translation of the Koran has taken pre-eminence among religious and world literature scholars. Although Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation of the Koran has pride of place in many English-speaking Islamic households, Arberry's work above all others renders the Koranic language in suitably appropriate, easily-comprehended, English.
Unlike any other translation before or since, Arberry's work adheres closely to the original Arabic syntax, meaning that this translation can easily be used in tandem with a recitation in Arabic of the Koran. Arberry's language is striking and beautiful, comparable to more recent offerings from N.J. Dawood and Thomas Cleary. Note, for example, the striking immediacy and rhythmic flow of this passage:
"He is God;
the Creator, the Maker, the Shaper.
To Him belong the Names Most Beautiful.
All that is in the heavens and the earth magnifies Him;
He is the All-mighty, the All-wise."
(Surah 59 'Hashr' v. 24)
Arberry eschews the Elizabethan intricacies of Abdullah Y. Ali and the reader will not find themselves fighting a river of parenthetical entries, as are found in Muhammad Asad and the infamous "Wahhabi Koran" of Muhammad Muhsin Khan.
All that being said, there are problems with the presentation of the translation. The verses are not numbered individually, although the paragraphing on each page helps in determining where verse divisions are. Arberry opts to adjust the layout of the text in accordance with the action or commands in the words themselves. This is a unique approach, but does tend to make difficulties for the reader hunting down a particular verse. Also, especially in the longer chapters ('Baqara' and 'Imran'), the numbering of the verses is off by about four.
The introductions to the two sections of the volume are fine discourses from the translator on the actual act of translating this book, but don't offer the first-time reader any introduction to the Koran itself--what it is, the purpose it serves, etc. There are also no footnotes at all in the text.
Overall, Arberry's work is a magnificent achievement, but one that is more suitable to the scholar than the casual reader. He is especially useful as a second Koran (with Oxford's Abdel Haleem offering being the first) or as a reference in English for one studying either the original text itself or the recitation of the Koran. For sure, Arberry's work belongs on the bookshelf of all who are interested in digging deeper into Islam, the Koran, or the great works of world literature.
Unlike any other translation before or since, Arberry's work adheres closely to the original Arabic syntax, meaning that this translation can easily be used in tandem with a recitation in Arabic of the Koran. Arberry's language is striking and beautiful, comparable to more recent offerings from N.J. Dawood and Thomas Cleary. Note, for example, the striking immediacy and rhythmic flow of this passage:
"He is God;
the Creator, the Maker, the Shaper.
To Him belong the Names Most Beautiful.
All that is in the heavens and the earth magnifies Him;
He is the All-mighty, the All-wise."
(Surah 59 'Hashr' v. 24)
Arberry eschews the Elizabethan intricacies of Abdullah Y. Ali and the reader will not find themselves fighting a river of parenthetical entries, as are found in Muhammad Asad and the infamous "Wahhabi Koran" of Muhammad Muhsin Khan.
All that being said, there are problems with the presentation of the translation. The verses are not numbered individually, although the paragraphing on each page helps in determining where verse divisions are. Arberry opts to adjust the layout of the text in accordance with the action or commands in the words themselves. This is a unique approach, but does tend to make difficulties for the reader hunting down a particular verse. Also, especially in the longer chapters ('Baqara' and 'Imran'), the numbering of the verses is off by about four.
The introductions to the two sections of the volume are fine discourses from the translator on the actual act of translating this book, but don't offer the first-time reader any introduction to the Koran itself--what it is, the purpose it serves, etc. There are also no footnotes at all in the text.
Overall, Arberry's work is a magnificent achievement, but one that is more suitable to the scholar than the casual reader. He is especially useful as a second Koran (with Oxford's Abdel Haleem offering being the first) or as a reference in English for one studying either the original text itself or the recitation of the Koran. For sure, Arberry's work belongs on the bookshelf of all who are interested in digging deeper into Islam, the Koran, or the great works of world literature.
52 of 58 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Arberry's interpretation is both elegant in its expression and quite literal with respect to the original Arabic. The only other translation I would recommend is that of Pickthall, also excellent, but much less readable; in fact, most people I know who started Pickthall gave up on it because the language was so dry and tedious. Arberry's is a work of art by comparison.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Just Like the Title Says
This is not an interpretation of the Koran. It is simply an English translation of its complex phrases and esoteric language for which clerics are appointed to help people... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ron DiGiovanni
4.0 out of 5 stars
Still the best
Arberry's translation has long been regarded as the standard for Quran translations. It is rendered in eloquent English that employs techniques of early modern English, but avoids... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Basil
5.0 out of 5 stars
the classic Qur'an and the best in English
I own many versions of the Quran and I can safely say that A. J. Arberry's translation is the most poetic Quran in English. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Halifax Student Account
5.0 out of 5 stars
Found in Interpretation
"The Koran Interpreted" is the best translation of the foundational text of Islam on the market. AJ Arberry, in his introduction, talks about translating Islam's sacred text as he... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Amaranth
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Koran Interpreted: A Translation
It is a somewhat difficult read and does not give a whole lot of insight into the Muslim religion as it appears to be practiced today. Read more
Published on February 17, 2011 by wnsniper
3.0 out of 5 stars
For Me, It's Just Another Koran
I'm not Muslim, speak no Arabic, so I only have my other English translations to use as comparison. I find nothing particularly "lyrical" about Arberry's "Koran Interpreted", but... Read more
Published on May 6, 2009 by S.B. Anthony
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best translatin of Al-Quran in English to-date
I feel honored to state that this, in my opinion, is the best English translation of Al-Quran. Especilly, though, by a non-Muslim. Read more
Published on December 24, 2007 by Amanullah Khan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Answer to 'mistake in Quran'
This interpretation of the Quran is quite good- however much is lost in terms of meaning as a result of the translation, which is often the case when translating a book like the... Read more
Published on May 13, 2006 by Sam
1.0 out of 5 stars
beautiful language, but crucial mistakes
Three things are necessary to make a good translation of the Quran into English: mastery of English, mastery of Arabic and knowledge of islamic history/faith. Read more
Published on December 24, 2004 by D. C.
4.0 out of 5 stars
review
Is this guy ignorant or extremely ignorant (below).
Allah is the exact same thing as God. Translated from arabic to english.
pride prevents true learning.
Allah is the exact same thing as God. Translated from arabic to english.
pride prevents true learning.
Published on March 19, 2004 by Ali
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 4
books:
100
books
cite this book:
See all 100 books citing this book
- Life of Mahomet by William Muir in Front Matter
- Meaning of the Glorious Koran by Marmaduke William Pickthall in Front Matter
- Glorious Koran by Marmaduke William Pickthall in Front Matter
- A Literary History of the Arabs by Reynold A. Nicholson on page 325
- A World Religions Reader by Ian S. Markham on 12 pages
- Divine Love in Islamic Mysticism: The Teachings of al-Ghazali and al-Dabbagh (Routledge Sufi Series) by Binyamin Abrahamov on 4 pages
- The First & Final Commandment: A Search for Truth in Revelation Within the Abrahamic Religion by Laurence Brown on 4 pages
- Teaching Islam (AAR Teaching Religious Studies) by Brannon M. Wheeler on page 40, page 42, and page 59
- The Adventures of Ibn Battuta, a Muslim Traveler of the Fourteenth Century by Ross E. Dunn on page 77, page 132, and Back Matter
See all 100 books citing this book
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