The Sublime Quran [Paperback]

Laleh Bakhtiar (Translator)

Book Description

Release date: March 30, 2007

HRH PRINCE GHAZI BIN MUHAMMAD, CHIEF ADVISOR FOR RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS TO H. M. KING ABDULLAH II, AUTHOR OF LOVE IN THE HOLY QURAN. Those who read translations of the Qur an (and there are no completely accurate translations of the Qur an in English and only a few adequate ones (these being arguably Abdullah Yusuf Ali s; Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall s), Laleh Bakhtiar s translation is arguably the most internally consistent. They are not reading the Qur an, but rather mere subjective individual interpretations of it: the Qur an is God s Word in its Arabic form only. The work Dr. Bakhtiar has put into her interpretation the consistency, the method, the attention to tense, root, case and detail is second to none. I have never seen its like before. The English reading of it is also lovely and smooth. This is clearly a blessing God has blessed her with, ma sha Allah. H.R.H. Prince Ghazi JOHN ESPOSITO, HEAD OF GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR MUSLIM/CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING. I am very familiar with Laleh Bakhtiar's writings and her recent translation of the Quran. Sublime Quran is a major translation that, in contrast to many other translations, in clear and direct language, effectively makes the message of the Quran accessible to English speaking audiences. It is one that I often recommend. REZA ASLAN, AN INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED WRITER AND SCHOLAR OF RELIGIONS AND CONTRIBUTING EDITOR AT THE DAILY BEAST. I am quite a fan of your mothers and routinely talk about her Quran translation in my speeches and in my classes. Here's a quote for you: For 14 centuries the translation and interpretation of the Quran has been the sole purview of men. Only men have been empowered to define the meaning and message of the Quran, and it is no coincidence that their interpretation has often been misogynist or worse. Laleh Bakhtiar's incredible achievement has changed all that. For the first time a woman has been able to reengage the scripture from a different point of view, thus producing a gender neutral translation that is far more consistent with the message and spirit of the Quran than any previous translation. REZA ASLAN SHAIDA KHAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DOMESTIC HARMONY FOUNDATION, a non-profit organization working against domestic violence within Muslim, Middle Eastern and South Asian communities (based in Long Island, NY) Laleh was the keynote speaker at their Annual Fundraising Gala on April 17, 2010 in Long Island, NY. There are numerous reasons for the importance of Laleh Bakhtiar's translation of the Holy Quran, the least of which is that her Sublime Quran provides a sensible and humanistic interpretation for the holy book. As the Executive Director of the Domestic Harmony Foundation, a non-profit organization working against domestic violence within Muslim, Middle Eastern and South Asian communities, this interpretation of Ms. Bakhtiar's is particularly significant. We are often faced with individuals who are victimized by their partners' usage of Quranic verses to further their abusive gains, citing the controversial verse 4-34.

Editorial Reviews

Review

MARCIA HERMANSEN DIRECTOR OF ISLAMIC WORLD STUDIES PROGRAM AND PROFESSOR IN THE THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO. One of things that strikes me about the translation is how its reception in the mainstream; Muslim community--at least in North America, made it less acceptable or even unacceptable for Muslim community leaders to simply repeat misogynistic interpretations. I refer specifically to the ISNA representative in Canada who wanted to ban the book--and the response from US leadership that ISNA supports women's rights and allows expression of a variety of opinions on Islam. It is clear that this pioneering project opened up conversations about gender relations in the community that needed to take place, and provoked a productive re-examination of assumptions about interpretation and authority. --Sublime Quran website; Wikipedia: Laleh Bakhtiar

YORIYOS SON OF YUSUF ISLAM (FORMERLY CAT STEVENS) We love and appreciate the work your mother has done and continues to do, Alhamdullilah. MashAllah, Thank you for your work Laleh. My father (Yusuf Islam) and I have been reading your books in admiration. We champion you and pray you are eternally blessed. With Peace and Much Respect Yoriyos --Sublime Quran website; Wikipedia: Laleh Bakhtiar

DAVE EGGERS AMERICAN NOVELITY AUTHOR OF ZEITOUN on the Oprah show recommends the Sublime Quran. I'm giving copies of the Qur'an, in a new translation by Laleh Bakhtiar. For anyone who wants to know more about Islam, or simply wants to read a beautiful book, this really is the most accessible version in English. ASMA BARLAS, PHD ITHACA COLLEGE DIRECTOR CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF CULTURE, RACE AND ETHNICITY. As to my thoughts on the Sublime Qur'an, since I am not a scholar of Arabic, I can't talk about its linguistic accuracy, etc. However, what I think is significant about Laleh Bakhtiar's translation is that it opens up new interpretive possibilities for Muslims. As I always point out, the Quran says that those who read it for its best meanings are the ones whom God has guided (39:18). This suggests that we can-- and should --have more than one reading/ interpretation/ translation so that we can find the best among these. Of course, notions of best are likely to differ over time but that is to be expected. Besides, what makes the Quran a universal text, by which I mean a text that is always integral to our lives, no matter the age in which we live, is that each generation can continue to find new meanings in it. In contributing to that endeavor, Dr. Bakhtiar has opened new doors for Muslims; whether someone wants to walk through these or not is, naturally, up to them. --Sublime Quran website; Wikipedia: Laleh Bakhtiar

About the Author

Laleh Bakhtiar, born of an American mother and Iranian father, grew up in America as a Catholic. At the age of twenty-four she moved to Iran in 1964 with her husband and children, not speaking Persian nor knowing anything about Islam. She began to study Islam with her mentor, Seyyed Hossein Nasr at Tehran University where she also studied Quranic Arabic. She returned to America in 1988 and attended graduate school where she earned her M.A. in Religious Studies, M.A. in Counseling Psychology and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor, licensed in Illinois and has lectured on Islam at many universities, colleges, churches, temples and synagogues. Through the works on psychology she has become the leading authority on the Sufi integration of the Enneagram. She is leading scholar on the psychology of spiritual chivalry (futuwwa, muruwwa, javanmardi). She directs her work towards Muslim women and youth who, once they learn of this model of spiritual chivalry Islam, become more positive oriented towards their faith and family. SHAIDA KHAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DOMESTIC HARMONY FOUNDATION. Her interpretation provides a more Islamic minded approach- that when all else fails, to move away from - the wife should be the last resort, and not to hit. This meaning is particularly important in our field of work when the victims and the abusers need to be educated as to the real nature of Islamic teachings. Equally as important as Dr. Bakhtiar's interpretation is the very fact that as a knowledgeable female scholar. She is an exemplary individual particularly for women who have been victimized by domestic violence, and also for all Muslim women to look up to. Shaida Khan INGRID MATTSON, PAST PRESIDENT THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA AND PROFESSOR OF ISLAMIC STUDIES HARTFORD SEMINARY. Current events have left Americans fascinated and frightened by Islam and Muslims. With no end in sight of the war on terror; and questions about the compatibility of Islam with Western societies, the need for honest and accurate information about Muslims has never been greater. In the case of Muslim women especially, ignorance and sensationalism abound. What could be more welcome than an examination of the life of a Muslim woman who is neither a silent victim of oppression, waiting to be saved by a secular revolution, nor an apologist for misguided ideology, but an intelligent woman of faith and integrity? Laleh Bakhtiar has lived a remarkable life - but a life with which we can relate, because while some of her experiences appear exotic to the typical American, her values and principles are not. A biography of Laleh Bakhtiar is sure to shed much needed light on humanity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Kazi Publications, Inc. (March 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567447503
• ISBN-13: 978-1567447507
• Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 5.9 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Islam > Quran

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A new approach to translation October 23, 2007

By LJ

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is my third Qur'an and by far my favorite. It is written formally, compared to other translations that strive for readability. I find this more appropriate for a religious text. The text is broken down into phrases and centered, which makes reading and understanding much easier. Also, the text is large and very readable. It makes the book bigger but the weight is well worth it.

Rather than the traditional start at the beginning and go to the end approach, Laleh Bakhtiar used the "formal equivalence" technique. That means translating each word on its own, and then putting it all together. Bakhtiar found over 3,600 Arabic verbs and nouns, which translated into over 5,800 unique English equivalents. This results in a much more accurate and consistent translation.

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful work February 17, 2008

By Farhan Bhatti

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a beautiful translation of the Qur'an into modern-day English that can be easily understood. There is no written rule that says Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation has to be the only translation used, or that his translation is even the "gold standard." As a Muslim male, I think it is amazing that we have a female Muslim scholar who translated the Qur'an. And let me be clear -- this is not some revisionist translator trying to alter the meaning of the Qur'an in any way. This is a scholar who spent years of her life trying to translate the Qur'an in a way that preserves its original meaning and can be understood easily by everyday English speakers. Unfortunately, much of the Muslim world today is still patriarchal/male-dominated. Slowly but surely, however, this is changing -- by God's Grace. People need to realize that some of the greatest Muslim thinkers and scholars in history have been women. And Bakhtiar is certainly making a case for herself to be mentioned among them.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The excellent tranlsation of the Qur'an by Laleh Bhakhtiar June 17, 2007

By Latimah S. Peerwani

Format:Paperback

The rendition of the Qur'an by Laleh Bhakhtiar is a step forward in the translation of this Scripture in Semitic language which is without any sectarian bias, Sufi, philosophical, Sunni, Shia and Ismaili theological connotations, and recently scientific, feminist and Taliban renditions etc. The translation is in modern American English, and the style is poetic-prose, which reflects the style of the Qur'an that is neither poetry nor prose, but is inclusive of both. This translation could be of help to Muslims and non-Muslims who do not know the Arabic of the Qur'an and are interested in studying it, and it could be of immense help to the students of Islamic studies.

Prof. Latimah-Parvin Peerwani