A prominent Indian Quran interpreter said translation of the Quran into other languages without interpretation might lead to misunderstanding.
Hojat-ol-Islam Valy-ol-Hassan Razavi explained that many of the readers of Quran translations, especially those in the West, might not be familiar with many Quranic concepts as well as the history of Islam and the conditions in which the verses were revealed to the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) Heart.
“Mere translation could lead the reader to incorrect understanding of the Quranic concepts. The concept of Jihad, for instance, ought to be properly explained and the conditions in which verses related to Jihad were revealed need to be described.”
He added that the non-Muslim reader needs to know that Muslims’ Jihad is a defensive act and that Muslims do not favor war or violence. “Such information is usually presented in exegesis as a guide for better understanding the meaning of the verses.”
He pointed to the rise in translation of the Quran into European languages and said, “After the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, people of the world realized that Islam is a comprehensive religion, one that brings about such a revolution in Iran that can resist the eastern and western superpowers. This power comes from the Quran and so the Quran should be read and understood. That is why people across the world, especially in the west, got interested in Islam and reading the Quran and, therefore, we see a rise in translation of the Quran into western languages.”
Hojat-ol-Islam Razavi, who is compiling a Quran interpretation in Urdu, was asked about Urdu translations of the Quran. He said there are many Urdu renderings by both Shia and Sunni Muslims. Among Sunni translators of the Quran into Urdu, he pointed to Mualana Ashraf Tahanavi and Al-Maududi.
“Farman Ali was a Shia Muslim from Bihar State in India who translated the Quran into Urdu some 70 years ago. Another rendering is by Allameh Zishan Heydar Javadi. His translation has been well-received among the people because he has an easy style of writing and uses the modern language, unlike Farman Ali whose language was archaic, though his style of writing was beautiful.”
He also pointed to the duty of a Quran translator and said one who embarks on rendering the Quran into other languages, must have pure intention and make his best efforts to convey the message of the Quran in the target language as best as he can.
Born in the city of Varanasi (Banaras), India, Hojat-ol-Islam Valy-ol-Hassan Razavi studied in Jamia Javadia Islamic school as well as government schools. He then entered the Aligar University and got his B.A. and then M.A. in history. He also holds an M.A. in Persian literature from the University of Banaras. Hojat-ol-Islam Razavi has also studied Islamic sciences in seminary.
source : http://www.iqna.ir/
