A Critical Evaluation of the Additions in “The Contemporary Interpretation of the Holy Quran (The Study Quran)” (Case Study: Surah Tawbah)

Document Type : Scientific Article Promotion

Authors

1 .(First Author): Associate Professor of Tafsir, University of Quranic Sciences and Teachings, Qom, Iran

2 PhD in Comparative Exegesis, University of Quranic Sciences and Teachings, Qom, Iran

Abstract

“The Study Quran”, published in 2015 by Seyyed Hossein Nasr and his colleagues, is a significant work in the translation and interpretation of the Holy Quran in English language in western countries. The Persian translation of this work, titled “The Contemporary Interpretation of the Holy Quran / The Study Quran,” is being translated by Enshaallah Rahmati in Iran. In addition to the translation, the translator has made additions in the form of footnotes and endnotes to the original text and in the third volume, its position has been changed to endnotes at the end of each surah, which is worthy of research. It is clear that a technical analysis of these additions and an explanation of their strengths and weaknesses can provide an improved version of this significant work for future Editions of current volumes and other volumes. Therefore, this present research critically with descriptive – analytical method examines the additions made by the translator in “The Study Quran”. The final findings of the research indicate that while the translator’s additions have strengths such as resolving certain ambiguities and providing documentations, they also have weaknesses including: overlooking contemporary aspects, failure to correct some flaws in the original text, lack of necessary explanations for certain concepts or incomplete inclusion of some contents, reliance on unreliable and occasionally incorrect narrations, tendency towards subjective and personal interpretations and preferences of certain mystical figures, omission of sources for some documentation, dogmatic use of statements that are questionable in accuracy, and ultimately, the translator’s oversight of crucial aspects present in certain sources.

Keywords

References

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The Qur’an from Orientalists Point of View
Volume 18, Issue 34 - Serial Number 34
(Registration No. 124/ 5086 Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance) Volume 34, Spring and Summer 2023
September 2023
Pages 67-88

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 November 2022
  • Revise Date: 04 January 2023
  • Accept Date: 21 June 2023

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