What is the ruling on translating the Qur'an and interpreting it with a literal translation in a language other than Arabic?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Noble Shaykh, what is the ruling on translating the Qur'an and interpreting it with a literal translation in a language other than Arabic?
The Shaykh : I am asking you: Is it possible to translate the Qur'an with a literal translation?
The questioner : Approximately.
The Shaykh : It is absolutely impossible, for the matter is a theoretical assumption, not a reality, because languages other than Arabic differ from Arabic, both in structure and in style, and for this reason it is not possible.
As for translating the Qur'an with a semantic translation, meaning that a person takes a verse and translates its meaning, there is nothing wrong with that; in fact, it may be obligatory. Yes, do you have any questions?
The Shaykh : I am asking you: Is it possible to translate the Qur'an with a literal translation?
The questioner : Approximately.
The Shaykh : It is absolutely impossible, for the matter is a theoretical assumption, not a reality, because languages other than Arabic differ from Arabic, both in structure and in style, and for this reason it is not possible.
As for translating the Qur'an with a semantic translation, meaning that a person takes a verse and translates its meaning, there is nothing wrong with that; in fact, it may be obligatory. Yes, do you have any questions?