Page 57 - Tafsir of surat at tawba repentance

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The orientalists have also been active during this century and have produced
other English translations; for example, R. Bell, Edinburgh, 1937-39; and A.J.
Arberry, London, 1964. However, these translations have been shunned by
Muslims now that sufficient Muslim works are available.

Types of Translation
The Qur’aan is more than the sum total of its words, grammatical
constructions, figures of speech, rhythms, and rhymes. It is a message, a direct
communication between God and man, and it is a permanent inimitable literary
miracle. Neither the Arabs of the past nor the present were able to meet the open
challenge concisely expressed in the verse:

`ÏiB ;ou‘qÝ¡Î/ (#qè?ù'sù $tRωö7tã 4’n?tã $uZø9¨“tR $£JÏiB 5=÷ƒu‘ ’Îû öNçFZà2 bÎ)ur )

( Ï&Î#÷VÏiB

“And if you all are in doubt about what I have revealed to My servant,
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produce a single soorah like it.”

and the verse:

( &Î#÷VÏiB ;ou‘qÝ¡Î/ (#qè?ù'sù ö@è% ( çm1uŽtIøù$# tbqä9qà)tƒ ÷Pr& )

“Or do they say that he has invented it? Say to them, ‘Produce a single
24
soorah like it.’ ”
The Qur’aan cannot be translated; any attempt to do so is folly. Arabic
grammatical constructions, figures of speech, rhyme, and rhythm cannot be
expressed in other than Arabic. Besides, in translation the Qur’aan’s inimitable
quality is lost and its challenge becomes meaningless, for no translator, no matter
how great his literary skills are, can claim inimitability. The Qur’aan cannot be

23
Soorah al-Baqarah (2):23.
24
Soorah Yoonus (10):38.

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