Approximation to the Meanings of Universal Message, the Word of Allah: a Linguistic Analysis

By Dr. Muhammad Khan

Do not miss out reading the Quran with best possible comprehension,
You will learn about the aim of this short lived life and the success in the
eternal life.

When you study this comprehensive work, you will learn a lot about the:


Universal Message of the Quran

Important nuts and bolts in the area of research of Revealed Message and Social sciences
Stylistic and communicative dimensions in English translations of Surah Yaaseen
Interrogating the Quranic translations into English
Background of the Quranic literature in English
Kinds of translation, why different translations
Principles of translation of revealed Message
Linguistics and Bible translations
Linguistics and the Quranic translations
Styles of the Arabic text of the Quran
Presentation and analysis of data
Syntactic and lexical comparison
A comprehensive model for the Quranic translations

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Apr 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479782727

Dr. Muhammad Khan

Dr. Muhammad Khan Abdul Malik is from district Attock, Punjab, Pakistan. He is a self-made scholar with rural background. His academic career though is continual but a missionary one. The scholar attended Govt. College Attock from 1975-76. Then he did his graduation from University of the Punjab. He got his master degree in English literature from University of the Punjab, Lahore. Thereafter he joined Education Department, Govt. of the Punjab as a Subject Specialist (English) through Punjab Public Service Commission in 1989. Never ending thirst of knowledge led the scholar to do another Master degree in TEFL (Teaching of English as a Foreign Language) from Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad. He also did his master in Teacher Education from AIOU. He has been teaching English language and linguistics at different levels since 1989, including the part time tutorship for teaching of TEFL and Master in Education. Dr. Khan also did his duties as a Principal at Govt. Boys Higher Secondary School, Shadi Khan, district Attock, Pakistan from 1998 to 2010. He did his Ph. D (English Linguistics) from National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad. After his doctorate he joined Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad as an Assistant Professor (English language and linguistics). He attended different seminars and conferences and presented his articles on teaching of English. Presently he is Assistant Professor (English Language and Linguistics) in Jazan Univeristy, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He has written different articles on language and linguistics. However, the present book is the first one that the author got published.

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Copyright © 2013 by Dr. Muhammad Khan.

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Rev. date: 04/01/2013

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Contents

Dedication

Introductory Notes

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1:Introduction

1.1 English Qur’ānic Translations

1.2 Relevant Aspects of the Study

1.3 Communication of the Qur’ānic Translations

1.4 Interrogating the English Qur’anic Translations

1.5 Exploring English Qur’anic Translations

1.6 Translated Text of Sūrah Yāsīn into English

1.7 Status of Translations Included in the Study

1.8 Similarity in Translations and Analysis

1.9 Research Procedure

Chapter 2 : Literature Review

2.1 Background of the Qur’ānic Literature in English

2.2 Definition of Terms

2.3 Stylistics

2.3.1 Problems of Defining Style

2.3.2 Prelinguistic Definitions of Style15

2.3.3 Different Approaches to Style

2.3.3.1 Embellishment

2.3.3.2 ‘Choice’ Between Alternative Expression

2.3.3.3 A Set of Individual Characteristics

2.3.3.4 Deviation from a ‘Norm’

2.4 Linguistic Stylistic and Literary Criticism

2.5 Communication

2.5.1 Origin of Communication and Language

2.5.2 Non-Verbal Communication

Translation

2.6.1 Significance of Translation

2.6.2 Translation and the Qur’ān

2.7 An Overview of Related Studies

Chapter 3 : Kinds of Translation, Principles, and Difficulties

3.1 Kinds of Translation

3.2 Principles of Translation

3.2.1 General Translation12

3.2.2 Bible Translation18

3.2.3 The Qur’ānic Translation

3.3 Difficulties of Translation

3.3.1 General Literature19

3.3.2 Bible20

3.3.3 The Holy Qur’ān23

Chapter 4 : Relationship of the Qur’ānic Translation with Related Disciplines

4.1 The Qur’ānic Translation and Hadith

4.2 The Qur’ānic Translation and Commentary (Tafsīr)

4.3 Translation of the Qur’ān and the Bible—A Linguistic Approach

4.3.1 Linguistics and Bible Translation

4.3.2 Linguistics and the Qur’ānic Translation

4.4 Style of the Arabic Text of the Qur’ān

4.5 Style of the Qur’ānic Translation (Sūrah Yāsīn) into English

4.6 Communicative Dimensions in Textual Meanings of the Qur’ān with Special Reference to Translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English

Chapter 5 : Presentation and Analysis of Data

5.1 Implications of Data Presentation and Its Analysis

5.2 Norms

5.3 Non-linguistic Context of Sūrah Yāsīn

5.4 Linguistic Stylistic Analysis

5.4.1 Ascertaining of Style-markers: A Macrolinguistic Analysis

5.4.2 Microlinguistic Analysis of the Translated Texts of Sūrah Yāsīn into English

5.4.2.1 Syntactic Comparison and Contrasts in the Translations of Sūrah Yāsīn

5.4.2.2 Lexical Comparison and Contrasts in the Translations

5.4.3 Analysis of Comprehension Tests of

Sūrah Yāsīn into English

5.4.3.1 Literal, Running, and Word-for-Word Translations

5.4.3.2 Translations with Explanatory Notes

5.4.4 Analysis of the Translators’ Interviews

Chapter 6 : Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendations

6.1 Summary

6.1.1 Research Problem

6.1.2 Research Method

6.1.3 Findings

6.1.3.1 Main Research Question and Subsidiary Question 1 (See 1.6, Chapter 1 of this thesis)

6.1.3.2 Subsidiary Research Question 2

6.1.3.3 Subsidiary Research Question 3

6.1.4 Implications of the Subsidiary Research Questions

6.1.4.1 Research Question 1(a)

6.1.4.2 Research Question 1(b)

6.1.4.3 Research Question 2(a)

6.1.4.4 Research Question 2(b)

6.1.4.5 Research Question 3(a)

6.1.4.6 Research Question 3(b)

6.2 Conclusion

6.2.1 Styles of Translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English with Negative Effect on Communication of the Message

6.2.2 Styles of Translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English with Positive Effect on Communication of the Message

6.2.3 Linguistic Problems of Translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English

6.2.4 Comprehension Difficulties on the Part of the Translators of Sūrah Yāsīn into English

6.2.5 Comprehension Difficulties on the Part of the Reader of the Translated Text of Sūrah Yāsīn into English

6.3 Recommendations

6.3.1 Recommendations for the Translator of the Qur’ān

6.3.2 Recommendations for the Receptor of the Qur’ānic Message

6.3.3 Test and Evaluation of the Translation

6.4 Organisation of the Qur’ānic Translations in Pakistan

6.5 A Suggested Comprehensive Model of Translation

Appendix A

Appendix B.1

Part A (Lexical Styles)

Part B (Syntactical/Grammatical Styles)

Appendix B.2

Part A (Lexical Styles)

Part B (Syntactical/Grammatical Styles)

Appendix C

Appendix D

Appendix E

Appendix F

Bibliography

Dedication

T his edition is dedicated to my parents whose day begins and ends with recitation from the Holy Qur’ān and who cherish my success through their unceasing support and prayers. ‘Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and believers on the Day when account is cast.’ (Qur’ān 14:41)

Introductory Notes

1. Only ‘Man’ is the topic in the Qur’an and ‘man’ includes all human beings of the present Ummah. The Holy Qur’an is for all humanity. The Qur’ānic Message knows no man-made boundaries.

2. ‘Man’s life is brief. If one compares man to the vast universe in which he lives, he only figures as a drifting lonely speck whose span of life is a mere infinitesimal fraction in eternity’ (Syed Qutb).

3. The major pillars of Islam are, to have firm belief in (i) Oneness of Allah (SWT), (ii) Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and (iii) the Holy Qur’an.

4. Do not miss out reading the Holy Qur’an with the best possible comprehension. This will make crystal clear certain misunderstanding and misconception. Unlearning before learning about the Qur’anic Message is essential for non-Muslims.

5. Exploring and reflecting on the Qur’anic Message costs nothing in this ephemeral world, but if we neglect the Message of the Qur’an, definitely this will be everlasting repentance in the world hereafter. This is possible only through meditating and seeking guidance sincerely.

6. The author of this book is a Muslim by chance, Alhamdulillah. But a great Muslim is he who embraces Islam by choice. This is possible through a comparative study of adyaan (religions).

7. All Muslims have a firm belief in all Messengers and all heavenly revelations. If they deny even a single one, they are no more Muslims.

8. Unfortunately in America, approximately, only 10% people know the word ‘Qur’an’, but they don’t know what is there in the Qur’an; other 90% of the population is unfamiliar even with the word ‘Qur’an’. Similarly majority of illiterate Muslims don’t know the word ‘Bible’, and in case they know its name, they don’t bother to have its knowledge. All this is nothing, just a deep-rooted prejudice. Instead, preferably, we should look into the things with the glasses of reality.

9. Here are some excerpts taken from Islam and Universal Peace by Syed Qutb, a renowned religious scholar from Egypt, just as a simple introduction to Islam and the Qur’an, especially for the people who have no basic knowledge about Islam:

10. The pattern of peace is interwoven throughout Islam’s teachings with ideas about the universe, life, and mankind. All Islamic systems, doctrines, legislation, and rituals are built on this fundamental idea. The Islamic concept of peace, in particular, requires a general study of its comprehensive theory because it is of primary concern to Islam.

11. The general Islamic view of life indicates that it considers human life as an integrated unity. Allah says, ‘How can you reject the faith in Allah?—seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life, then He will cause you to die, and will again bring you to life, and again to Him you will return’ (Q. 2:28).

12. The general Islamic outlook confirms the unity of all humanity, of religion and of believers. It considers Islam as the final religion; it confirms the preceding revelations and includes them. Allah says, ‘To thee We send the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it and guarding it in safety’ (Q. 5:51).

13. Accordingly, Muslims have a responsibility towards humanity. They are to achieve peace on earth, within themselves, at home, and in society. It is a peace, based on recognising Allah’s oneness and omnipotence, on instituting justice, equality, and liberty.

14. Islamic moderation is the middle way between the extremes, that is, the fulcrum upon which its rituals and regulations are balanced. Allah says, ‘Thus have We made of you an Ummat (nation) justly balanced that ye might be witness over the nations, and the Apostle a witness over yourselves…’ (Q. 2:143). Then Allah says, ‘You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah…’ (Q. 3:110).

15. Islam is not an arbitrary religion, nor has it ever ordered Muslims to force others to adopt it even though it is the final and complete revelation from Allah. Allah says, ‘Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error’ (Q. 2:256).

16. Islam ordains that man perseveres in his efforts to establish the Word of God on earth. Islam does not tolerate oppression, whether it is an individual who imposes himself on others or a class that exploits other classes or a state that exploits other states. Muslim must fight injustice, accepting no truce until oppression is no more and man’s dignity is restored, Allah says, ‘Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancor…’ (Q. 5:3).

17. Islam commands unqualified tolerance towards all human beings. In fact, this religion defends humanity against all criminal behaviour, including discrimination. This humanitarian spirit helps to establish the universal peace. It integrates races and colour and encourages mutual tolerance, friendliness, and compassion among human beings. It is a means of purifying the social atmosphere. It enables societies to avoid conflicts caused by discrimination, power struggle, and material exploitation. This humanitarianism is easily discerned in the general Islamic principles. Allah says, ‘O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other)’ (Q. 49:13).

18. Good morals are characteristic of Islamic international relations. They are reflected in the absence of prejudices which are prevalent in all man-made political systems. The prejudiced policies dominated Western materialism and ignored the importance of religion and morality.

19. Islam emancipates mankind from conflicts which promote private interests. Muslims do not aggravate wars, for they fight only if challenged or oppressed. Islam came to promote human welfare.

20. Islam has prohibited usury, monopoly, and exploitation, thus abolishing all reasons for profit-motivated wars. No reason for declaring a war is valid except one: the striving in the cause of Allah (SWT) in order to uphold his Word and to establish equality among people.

21. If, from this summit of Islamic legislation, in peace and in war, we observe the despicable conditions prevailing in the world, we will perceive the great difference between a system prescribed by Allah (SWT) to his servants and a man-made system. We would also perceive what men have lost by disregarding the divine system and pretending that what man desires for himself is better than what Allah (SWT) desires for him.

22. Humanity shall continue to suffer, increasing injuries, at the hands of the atheists beguiled and misled by corrupted civilisations unless man follows the Islamic system, which leads people to justice, discipline, and peace.

The most wise are the people who prepare for the eternal life. But instinctively man worships his immediate needs and seeks reward over the night. The Holy Qur’an aptly says that man is (i) insane, (ii) impatient and (iii) loser.

Foreword

C ommunication of the Qur’ānic message to all humanity is mandatory, but unfortunately, this could not be done effectively for one or the other reason. This challenging task has been taken so lightly. These two facts proved stimuli, which led the author to contribute, though a particle, in the form of this book, to the promotion of the Qur’ānic message through better English translations and many more renderings even in regional languages. The Qur’ān says, ‘It is the month of Ramadān in which the Qur’ān was revealed, a guidance for mankind with clear teachings showing the Right Way and a criterion of truth and falsehood’ (2:185). Ramadān is the month of the Qur’ān, as the prophet (peace be upon him) has said and that the Holy Qur’ān has four distinctive rights: Qir’at (to read it), Tilawat (to understand and act upon its guidance), Tadabbar (to comprehend its teachings), and Balaghat (to preach and convey its Message). Surah Al-Asr says, ‘watawwasau bilhaq’ (and exhort one another to haq and truth). The author envisages the blending of linguistics and the Qur’ānic translations into English, more productive and useful both for the translators and the readers. Linguistic stylistic analysis of the Qur’ānic translations is the subject matter in this edition. The interaction between the two (that is, linguistics and the Qur’ānic translations into English) is very essential for better translations of the Qur’ān, deviating from the traditional literal and dictionary translations. A linguistic study of the Qur’ānic translations seems extremely fascinating, for, the translator may reap its fruit in the form of effective communication and comprehension of the Qur’ānic Message. The study in hand is meant to make the two disciplines shake their hands in the field of the Qur’ānic translations by analysing linguistically various translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English as an epitome. The writer expects further studies in the field of the Qur’ānic translations and comparative linguistics with different and innovative variables. It may, however, be pointed out that it is almost impossible for the translators to translate in entirety the thematic, stylistic, and rhetorical standards of a divine revelation.

The author’s intention in presenting the ‘stylistic and communicative dimensions in English translations of the Qur’ān’ is multidimensional and multiproductive. This is fairly new and the first comprehensive work, wherein linguistic analysis of English translations of the Qur’ān, Hadith, and Commentary, has been emphasised to encourage further explorations in this novel area of research. This book is useful for English translators, English readers, general scholars, and, particularly, researchers on the Qur’ān. The fact is that untranslatability of this Qur’an has become a linguistic axiom. Suffice it to say that in the Arabic Qur’ān where particle ‘inna’ and ‘la’ come together, it is equal to saying the same thing three times. This reveals intensity and rhetoric in the Qur’ānic Message. For example, ‘innaka laminalmursaleen’ (36:3) ‘Indeed, you are one of the Messengers.’ But if we explain the ‘Aya’ in the light of the particles ‘inna’ and ‘la’, then it needs to be expressed three times. How this intensity of the Message can be maintained through translation whatever the language is. At the same time, interpreting the Qur’ān to communicate its possible meanings in every nook and corner of the world is ineluctable. The writer has tried his best to possibly include all basic concepts that may prove helpful and productive for the English translators and the readers of the Qur’ān. Despite the fact that the teachings of the Holy Qur’ān have stamped the dramatic and revolutionary changes in the world’s civilisations since its revelation, unfortunately the intended meanings of the Qur’ān could not get across the Western world. The non-Muslims have not appreciated the content of the Qur’ān for the only reason that the Muslim scholars and Islamic states could not communicate worldwide the Qur’ānic message effectively.

The present edition is a nice composition of different components that are imperative for better interpreting and understanding the Qur’ān. This work is the representative of the author’s Ph.D. treatise, so it may prove beneficial for the researchers intending to work on the Arabic and translated texts of the Qur’ān in a linguistic perspective. The knowledge of the related studies of the Qur’ān, that is, Hadith and Commentary, has also been suggested for better interpretation and comprehension. A practical analysis of lexical and syntactic items of Sūrah Yāsīn would likely add to the novel trends of translating and understanding the Qur’ānic message. Finally, there are some conclusions and suggestions for English translators and the readers of the Qur’ān. This is the writer’s humble attempt; the chances of improvement in the work is always there, so the merits of the work are purely blessing of Allah (SWT), but its demerits, if any, are due to the author’s own weakness.

Acknowledgements

F irst of all, I am thankful to Allah Subhanahū-wata’āla with whose blessing this research work has been completed. Then my profound gratitude goes to sincere, committed, and painstaking professors, particularly Dr Aziz Ahmed Khan, Dr Allah Bakhsh, Dr Saeeda Asadullah Khan, Dr Shazra Munnawer, Dr Rubina Kamran, Dr Riaz Hasan, and Dr Zia ul Haq for their valuable guidance and encouragement. I would also like to thank Dr Zafar Ishaq Ansari, Vice President, International Islamic University, Islamabad; Dr Zia ul Haq, Head, Department of Islamic/Pak. Studies, NUML, Islamabad; Professor (R) Muhammad Yasin, Fehm-i-Qur’ān Institute, Lahore; and Professor (R) Muhammad Rafique, Maktaba-i-Qur’āniyat, Lahore, for their timely response to the structured interview, developed by the author. Moreover, I appreciate the cooperation extended by the Bible Society, Lahore; Christian Study Centre, Rawalpindi; Government College, Attock; Fatima Jinnah (Women) University, Rawalpindi; Mr Muhammad Khurshid, Anjuman Khudām-ul-Qur’ān, Peshawar, in the completion of the comprehension tests/questionnaire. For technical assistance in composing and printing of this book, the efforts made by my only son Waqar Khan are appreciable. My special thanks go to Dori Jule, Senior Consultant, Xlibris Sydney, Australia, for her valuable guidance.

Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1 English Qur’ānic Translations

T he application of linguistics to the English translations of the Qur’ān for effective communication and comprehension of the Universal Message of the Qur’ān is relatively an unattended area of research in the field of the Qur’ānic literature. With this very motive, the author opted for a study on the ‘Stylistic and Communicative Dimensions in Translations of the Holy Qur’ān’ in English with special reference to Sūrah Yāsīn. The main focus is on stylistic and communicative dimensions in seven ¹ different English translations of Sūrah Yāsīn. But a question arises: does a translation substitute the original text? No, translation, despite all its merits, can replace the original text. The equivalence of the original text is virtually impossible; hence the absolute untranslatability of a text has become a linguistic axiom. Tibawi ² is of the opinion that ‘every translation of the Qur’ān proclaims its own inadequacy.’ So translation of the Qur’ān into a mundane language has multifarious linguistic problems. No doubt the translators are trying their best through all possible means to translate the message of the Qur’ān, but usually, they succeed in interpreting any one shade of the meaning of a word out of a spectrum of its colours. Catford ³ says: ‘It is clear that the formal meaning of source language (SL) items and target language (TL) items cannot really be the same.’ The words equivalence and substitute as mentioned above, themselves negate the originality as Mr ‘X’ can be substituted with Mr ‘Y’ in some office but ‘Y’ cannot replace ‘X’ for having different physiological, psychological, and other personal qualities. That is to say, the formal shades of meaning of SL and TL items can never be exactly the same, rather possible rendering is given just for communication of a message. Ultimately any translation of the Qur’ān in any other language is no more than an approximation of the meaning of the Arabic text of the Qur’ān. The difference between a good translation and a bad translation may be explained by an analogy that a beautiful woman may not necessarily be faithful and a faithful one may not be beautiful.

Moreover, a few aspects of the Qur’ānic translations, though not directly related to the present study, are worth mentioning. First, the Qur’ānic Message is for the whole of humanity and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the messenger of the nations⁴ and not any one particular nation, unlike all other messengers. The Qur’ānic Message has no spatial and temporal boundaries since its revelation. But the problem is that all people do not know Arabic (the language of the Qur’ān) or English or a few other languages in which the Qur’ānic Message has been translated and that too often results in misinterpretation and confusion on the part of the common receptor of the Message. There are about 4,000 languages in the world today. How translations in a few languages can meet the demand of the world population! The reality is that every man in the world, either Muslim or non-Muslim, white or black, rich or poor, far or near, friend or foe, old or young, male or female, and king or beggar, has fundamental right to get the final Message. This reality invites the attention of all communities⁵ in the world and particularly the Muslim scholars because they have a sound knowledge of Islam and the Qur’ān to get the Qur’ān translated in maximum major and regional languages of the world, keeping in view the difficulties of the target (receptor’s) language. The idioms of the TL should be given preference, remaining faithful to the original text of the Qur’ān for better communication and comprehension of the Qur’ānic Message. On the other hand, a remarkable thing is that the Bible, whose message and its scope do not claim finality and universality for all times and for all nations, has been translated in different languages of the world. Nida’s⁶ finding is that ‘the major part of the Christian scriptures exist in the languages of at least 95% of the world’s population.’ As compared to an organised plethora of research work on translations of the Bible, the graph of the Qur’ānic translations is the lowest. The Muslim scholars’ work in this field is lagging far behind. To keep up pace with the present critical situation, the Muslim scholars have to make their concerted efforts to spread the universal Message through the Qur’ānic translations. While translating, linguistic analysis, both of the source language (SL) and target language (TL), would result in more justice with the Arabic text of the Qur’an and at the same time TL readers. Second, the literal translations (whatever the language is) are often misinterpreted by the common and casual readers. It is an admitted fact that a translation having all merits cannot claim the beauty of style and rhythm of the Arabic text of the Qur’ān, instead, it is merely a source of possible communication of the Qur’ānic Message. A strange approach to the Qur’ānic translation is that generally the translator gives the least preference to the receptor of the Qur’ānic Message, and ultimately the translated text results in confusion, misinterpretation, and frustration. This fact has become crystal clear through the analysis of the comprehension tests on the translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English, developed by the author and attempted by the Muslim and non-Muslim English readers that (i) the literal translations following the idiom of Arabic and neglecting the expectations and reaction of the TL receptor, result in frustration; (ii) unfamiliarity with the style of the Qur’ān mainly causes confusion. Surprisingly sometimes word-for-word translations of the Qur’ān even into Urdu result in confusion and cannot be understood by common Urdu readers, so the translators are to explain the expected difficulties towards comprehension. The points to be noted are (i) the content of the Qur’ān cannot be changed, rather it has been guaranteed by Allah (SWT) himself. The Qur’an says, ‘We have without doubt sent down the message, and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption’ (15:9)); (ii) the painful work of translation of the Qur’ān is needed rather essential for communication of the Qur’ānic Message, particularly to non-Muslim English readers, and if communication of the Message is confusing, then, of what use is this whole exercise of translation?

Third, there is no well-established organisation to manage the research work on translations of the Qur’ān into different languages from linguistic point of view. There are some Muslim scholars of the Qur’ān who have extended remarkable and meritorious services to the Qur’ānic translations in Persian, Urdu, and English, but this work is insufficient being the production of many centuries. There are a few translations from the original (Arabic) text of the Qur’ān into English. Errors may creep in through the practice of translation from translation, and this has been encouraged and attempted by dictionary translators substituting TL items for SL items without any attention to non-linguistic (cultural) and linguistic contexts of the Qur’ānic Message. The whole Muslim Ummah is to shoulder this challenging responsibility of communication of the Qur’ānic Message through translations into all major and regional languages of the world. This is certainly possible through an incessant and untiring plan of action in the field of translation. It is noted that different translations produce different effects on common readers, with varying degrees of comprehension of the message of the Qur’ān. The main objective of the study is to ascertain the problems of communication gap caused by misunderstanding the Qur’ānic message by the English readers and offer possible solution to the problems. One thing is quite evident that the translated text of the Qur’ān cannot maintain the intensity of the Arabic text. Fatihi⁷ points out that ‘all types of translations involve (i) loss of information; (ii) addition of information; (iii) skewing of information’. The translation ultimately results in more or less distortion of the original text, losing overall beauty of SL. Exact intended meaning may not be possible. Moreover, three things constantly invite attention with reference to translation of the Qur’ān: first, rhythm of the Qur’ān; its most important and miraculous aspect is totally lost in translation; second, the divinity⁸ of the message of the Qur’ān is distorted both lexically and syntactically; third, the translator and the reader who do not have conviction and firm belief in the Qur’ān and its messenger may not do justice⁹ towards the interpretation of the Qur’ānic text.

Different styles of translations of the Qur’ān into English affect readers in different ways. The English readers (with no basic knowledge of Islam and the Qur’ān) may misinterpret the translation of the Qur’ān into English. In the light of this problem, stylistic and communicative aspects of the translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English have been emphasised in the study. The study is limited to seven translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English by Pickthall, Arberry, Zia, Azam Malik, Yusuf Ali, Asad, and Ansari. But Fatihi¹⁰ questions, ‘How can the Word of God be translated with exact equivalent expression?’ In the field of semantics, there are a number of translated words like ‘prayer’, ‘fast’, ‘religious tax’, which show how they fail to communicate the message (unlike the original text of the Qur’ān), for example, the ‘Salah’, ‘Saum’, ‘Zaka’, as used in the Arabic text. Such words may not have exact equivalents in English language. Even then, translation of the Holy Qur’ān into English is essential for the people who are not familiar with Arabic, being the only source for them to get the message of the Qur’ān. Some English readers get confused in comprehending the Qur’ānic translations. The book has possibly ascertained the causes and problems of this confusion. Haleem¹¹ pointed out thus:

‘Many English studies of the Qur’ān tend to regard it as nothing more than a jumble of borrowed and rambling thoughts with no sense of direction. This approach has resulted in a series of unstudied theories which, instead of mapping out the Qur’ānic world, have added more confused ideas to an already confused comprehension.’

The clause ‘a jumble of borrowed and rambling thoughts with no sense of direction’ manifests that such learned scholars never bother themselves for a proper, systematic, sincere, and faithful study of the Qur’ān, its miraculous style, its universal message, its commandments about the eternal realities, and its scope. It is the Qur’ān that shows the way to success which is a pure blessing for mankind from Allah Almighty. That is why the Qur’ān repeatedly invites its readers to reflection, but reflection with belief is the only condition to have light from light.

1.2 Relevant Aspects of the Study

The most relevant aspects with reference to the stylistic and communicative dimensions in English translations of the Qur’an include the following:

(a) Comparison of the styles of the translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English from different linguistic aspects.

(b) Communicative dimensions in translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English.

(c) Causes of communication gap (caused by misunderstanding the message of the Qur’ān through translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English).

(d) Translator’s linguistic difficulties while translating the Holy Qur’ān;

(e) Possible solutions/suggestions for better translation of Sūrah Yāsīn into English, bridging the gap of misunderstanding of the Qur’ānic message for the Muslim and non-Muslim English readers.

The points ‘(a)-(e)’cited above encompass the area of the study ensuring internal validity. First, the linguistic style of seven different translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English have been analysed against SL and TL norms; second, the analysis proved helpful and encouraging for the researcher in determining different communicative dimensions in the translations of the Qur’ānic Message; third, the comprehension tests cum questionnaire developed for the study revealed certain causes of communication and comprehension failure; four, the linguistic difficulties, both of SL and TL, have been ascertained through the interviews of the available English translators of the Qur’ān and one in Urdu and general study of the relevant literature on translations of the Qur’ān; fifth, the possible solutions and suggestions for better communication and comprehension through better translation have been offered in the last chapter.

The present study is significant because it is a novel addition to the world of linguistic stylistics in English literature and research on the Qur’ānic literature, that is, the Qur’ānic translations, exegeses, Hadith, and Sunnah in English, the world’s most common lingua franca. The writer analysed the translations of Sūrah Yāsīn into English from linguistic perspective to see (i) how do styles of the Qur’ānic translations (here Sūrah Yāsīn) affect communication? (ii) What are the underlying linguistic problems of translation of Sūrah Yāsīn into English? (iii) what are the other factors which make comprehension of its translations difficult or confusing, particularly for non-Muslims English readers? (iv) How can the communication gap¹² be bridged for better comprehension and a clear guidance which is its ultimate goal?

1.3 Communication of the Qur’ānic Translations

Translation of the Qur’ān into English is meant for communication of the Qur’ānic Message to English readers as effectively as possible. It can be safely said that the stylistic beauty of the Qur’ān and its rhythm may neither be translated nor communicated in its true sense. However, the translator has to attend preferably the receptor’s difficulties of comprehension, and his reaction to the translation. The Qur’ānic style (which is its miraculous beauty) is criticised by some English scholars and the reason of this criticism is likely because of their casual study of the Qur’ān. They can understand and appreciate this Message and its style only if they have the motive to get guidance from the Qur’ān, with a firm belief in its content. It does not mean that first such people should revert to Islam and then study the English translations of the Qur’ān, instead the point which the author wants to inculcate is that these readers are to presume (particularly during the course of study of the Qur’ānic Message in the least) that there is no doubt in the content of the Qur’ān and judge it impartially, sincerely, and faithfully on the touchstone of its scope being a universal Message. The Muslim scholars no doubt have probed into the problems of communication of the Qur’ānic Message but usually in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu, which again is problematic for English readers who have no knowledge of these languages.

The need of the present era is to communicate this treasure of the Qur’ānic Message through translations into English, a language that has become a principal lingua franca and may give a vast circulation as compared to other major languages of the world. Fortunately, there is a significant move to the destination, and its indicators are some of the translations and commentaries (tafaasir) of the Qur’ān in English in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. However, much more needs to be done in an organised manner ensuring maximum and effective communication of the Qur’ānic Message.

The translations of the Qur’ān in English are usually confined to literal or word-for-word substitution. The translators might not have analysed both SL and TL in their linguistic and non-linguistic contexts; hence, the receptor of the Message is, after all, frustrated in a state of confusion in comprehension of the translated text of the Holy Qur’ān. The available translations are self-evident that the translators’ focus has been on the idiom of Arabic and the style of the Arabic text of the Qur’ān without realising