MISTAKES IN TRANSLATIONS:
Classical and pre-classical Arabic language is based on root words and it is different from traditional or Modern Arabic. In classical Arabic every word contains different root word and from it derives a chain of many derivative words but the meaning/essence of root word is present in all the derivative words. If we don’t find the essence of the meaning from the root word in any derivative word then the chain of meanings is broken on which the classical Arabic language is based.
It has been observed that the key “Quranic” words like Allah, Rabb, Salat, Zakat, Saum, Sajda, Quran, Kitab, Ibadat, Allah, Rasul, Nisa, Rajul, Bashar, Qatal and many others have been widely misunderstood by the vast majority of our intelligentsia. The result is that we have missed out on the valuable “Quranic” information, whose purpose was to guide and develop the human race without any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, or language. The job of retracing the lost or misunderstood words due to lapse of time is grueling, as it’s not easily available in dictionaries and lexicons, sometimes we have to take the overall view of the topic and the context of the subject. Anyone, who has the knowledge of Arabic grammar, can do just superficial translation which can make little or no sense. But justice to the translation can only be done if the translator knows the subject which he has undertaken otherwise superficial translation is like a Phd in English language is teaching chemistry and that case the English teacher won't be able to do justice to the subject of chemistry only because he is good in English.
The subject of Quran is human psychology [Nafs]. Psychiatric disorder [mental disorder] is the biggest disease in the world and Quran is the best and simplest book on this subject. In my opinion "Muslims" are the biggest victim of this mental disease and religious fanaticism is one of its form. Although its common mental disorders which can effect anyone, among all depression is the biggest, which affects about 400 million, dementia which affects about 35 million, and schizophrenia, which affects about 21 million people globally. Stigma and discrimination can add to the suffering and disability associated with mental disorders, leading to various social movements attempting to increase understanding and challenge social exclusion. This is why Quran repeatedly asserts that it is an guide and criterion for agitated mind [Al-Naas].
The subject of Quran is human psychology [Nafs]. Psychiatric disorder [mental disorder] is the biggest disease in the world and Quran is the best and simplest book on this subject. In my opinion "Muslims" are the biggest victim of this mental disease and religious fanaticism is one of its form. Although its common mental disorders which can effect anyone, among all depression is the biggest, which affects about 400 million, dementia which affects about 35 million, and schizophrenia, which affects about 21 million people globally. Stigma and discrimination can add to the suffering and disability associated with mental disorders, leading to various social movements attempting to increase understanding and challenge social exclusion. This is why Quran repeatedly asserts that it is an guide and criterion for agitated mind [Al-Naas].
Any person who is good in English as well as in psychology can do justice while doing the translation of the Quran. But if the translators have some preconceived notion and insist that the Quran is a guide towards historical personalities and in their struggle is a lesson for us is just consoling himself. Some study Quran to find scientific discoveries to prove its divinity and others emphasizes on performance of certain rituals or some think about establishing Paradise on earth. With such preconceived mental set-up one is not eligible to translate the Quran, howmuch ever he/she is expert in Arabic language. The translator should wipe out all preconceived notions and should translate the Quran only on the merit of the classical Arabic words, grammar and the context, then only the spirit of the Quranic message will touch the entire mankind. Otherwise the poor Quran will remain untouchable as only those who are free from preconceived ideologies can touch it [56:77-79].
Some Mistakes in translations:
1) Example:
The root word علم [alam] means he knew – ilm, talim, maulim, Aalim, Alim, Allama, Uloom, Maaloom, Ulema…
The meaning of every derivative word should contain the basic essence of the root word as they belong to the same family. If there is change in the meaning we can easily detect the corruption or distortion in the meaning. For example the word الْعَالَمِينَ [Aalameen] is the derivative of root word علم but in traditional or modern Arabic it is translated as Worlds whereas its meaning should be all the Knowledge. This is a clear cut distortion because the essence of the root word is missing from the final meaning.
2) Example:
The root word شهر [shahar] the meanings of which are apparent, manifest, notable, commonly known, famous, proclaim, notorious, New moon, lunar month, drew his sword from its scabbard,
The commonly known derivatives of Shahar are Mashoor, Shaurat, Ashraan, Ashaar, Ishtehaar...
The Evolutionary stage of Al-Hajj is called manifestation [ashur] of Knowledge and information [malomaat] الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُومَاتٌ – 2:197 - But sadly our interpreters translate it as well known month. Here the word Maloomat is translated as well known whereas its meaning is knowledge and information.
There so many examples where the chain of meaning is broken from the root word just to suit the thinking of the interpreters.
Usually the Quranic context is decided by the preconceived notions, then the meaning of the word is chosen to justify that notion or ideology. But there should be a checking instrument to verify whether the assumed ideology is beneficial for entire mankind or not. Any belief or book which claims to be for entire mankind and if it does not cater to the need of entire mankind then its proclamation is a hollow one, regardless how many people love it.
There is not a single translation of the Quran in my knowledge that can pass through this test where its teaching can be applicable to the entire mankind, that should even include the people living in the jungles.
Some Mistakes in translations:
1) Example:
The root word علم [alam] means he knew – ilm, talim, maulim, Aalim, Alim, Allama, Uloom, Maaloom, Ulema…
The meaning of every derivative word should contain the basic essence of the root word as they belong to the same family. If there is change in the meaning we can easily detect the corruption or distortion in the meaning. For example the word الْعَالَمِينَ [Aalameen] is the derivative of root word علم but in traditional or modern Arabic it is translated as Worlds whereas its meaning should be all the Knowledge. This is a clear cut distortion because the essence of the root word is missing from the final meaning.
2) Example:
The root word شهر [shahar] the meanings of which are apparent, manifest, notable, commonly known, famous, proclaim, notorious, New moon, lunar month, drew his sword from its scabbard,
The commonly known derivatives of Shahar are Mashoor, Shaurat, Ashraan, Ashaar, Ishtehaar...
The Evolutionary stage of Al-Hajj is called manifestation [ashur] of Knowledge and information [malomaat] الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُومَاتٌ – 2:197 - But sadly our interpreters translate it as well known month. Here the word Maloomat is translated as well known whereas its meaning is knowledge and information.
There so many examples where the chain of meaning is broken from the root word just to suit the thinking of the interpreters.
Usually the Quranic context is decided by the preconceived notions, then the meaning of the word is chosen to justify that notion or ideology. But there should be a checking instrument to verify whether the assumed ideology is beneficial for entire mankind or not. Any belief or book which claims to be for entire mankind and if it does not cater to the need of entire mankind then its proclamation is a hollow one, regardless how many people love it.
There is not a single translation of the Quran in my knowledge that can pass through this test where its teaching can be applicable to the entire mankind, that should even include the people living in the jungles.
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