What is the best translation of the Glorious Quran
Preface
Usually, when a work of literature is translated into another language, the contexts may not be transferred perfectly. In fact, it is the interpreter’s skill and artfulness that lets transfer the exact intention of the author in the new language and to a new audience. This becomes especially more complicated when a sacred scripture, and one like Quran that notwithstanding its unimaginable beauty is said to harbor profound underlying meanings behind each word and phrase is translated.
Even if we intend to explain those profound contexts in the original language i.e. Arabic, we face the same problem. That is because, to do so, in addition for the author the need to be well versed in the complexities and delicacies of a language like Arabic, we need a profound understanding of the core of Quran that they call it “ta’ weel” ( deep interpretation and explanation). As an example, we may talk about the falling of rain from the sky to the earth but allude to the raining of one’s love and compassion. That why Quran has opted to utilize such similes that make it need interpretations has been explained in another essay in this site.
The characteristics of this translation/interpretation
The translation/ interpretation that has been demonstrated in this site with its downloading address mentioned at the bottom of this writing has paid attention to such intricacies and has tried to transfer those profound contexts in a plain and understandable way to the readers. The author of this unique translation/ interpretation of Quaran, the late Ayatullah Muhammad Ali Salehghaffari, during his life asked his son Abulhassan to translate it into English and it was done during several years after the author’s departure.
In this book, those deeper contexts that lie in the deeper layers of Quran under the title “the interpretational points” have been brought forth. It tells us what has been the real point beneath the surface of the verses of Quran.
For Example
Words like “the seas” have been interpreted to mean scientists or educated people while “land” refers to uneducated and ordinary people. “Mountains” mean religious and non-religious superpowers. Likewise “Sun” means the God’s messenger and his successors and “stars” mean the scientists. “Piercing meteor” and “stoning away of the intruders” are interpreted as the activities of the stars of guidance against the Satan; the hypocrites pick up the religious tenets and teachings and abuse them for their devilish goals but the scientists shoot them away by their teachings. “Night and day” mean the era of the non-observable life of Imam Mahdi (PBUH), and the era of his appearance and rule respectively.