THE QURAN IN THE EYES OF SCHOLARS AND INTELLECTUALS (9). SYDNEY FISHER 1. The Quran is, in sense, an educational and cultural book. It does not only speak about rituals, obligations …… etc. The Quran teaches Muslims the noblest rules of moral conduct and virtues. The greatness of this book is quite evident in both of its obligations. 2. Prof. Sir. HAMILTON GIBB 3. We will be terribly mistaken if we only think of Islam as a mere doctrine that has been passed on from one generation to another for thirteen centuries. Islam is a faith and belief that is reflected in Muslims life and thinking. The Arab Muslims get more impressed when they read the sacred text. The Quran, just as wonderful Arabic poetry, is untranslatable simply because it is quite difficult to convey its secrets, style, parables, etc. Through translation. It has wonderful glamour, style and order. Therefore, it impresses whoever reads it. To me, the translation of the Quran into any other language is just like turning pure gold into dust! 4 LADY COBOLD 5 It is the Quran that motivated the Arabs to conquer the world and establish an empire that excelled Alexander the Greats empire and the Roman empire in terms of strength, culture, construction and circulation. In a reference to the Qurans unique characteristics, the French Orientalist Mardaurile, assigned by the French government to translate some chapters of the Quran, said, in fact even the most biased authors were influenced and impressed by the beauty of the Quran. The influence of the Quran on Muslims is so great that it has never been reported, as Orientalists unanimously admit, that a single Muslim has ever denounced Islam for any other religion so far. That is because of the simple, organized and unique rhetorical style of the Quran, which always touches the heart of any Arab listening to it. I feel certain in saying that any attempt to translate the Quran, with its style, into any other language is a mere waste of time and effort. 6 **** NB ***** 1. Sydney Fisher is,a professor of history in the American University of Ohio. He had performed many studies on the affairs of Eastern countries that contain Muslim majorities. He wrote Middle East in the Islamic Age in which he discussed many of the effective factors of the development of peoples and events in these countries first of which is Islam. 2. Middle East in the Age, quotation from al-Aqqads What Is Said about Islam, p. 54. 3. Prof. Sir. Hamilton (1895-1976): He is considered as a leader of contemporary English Orientalists. He has been a professor of Arabic in Oxford University since 1937. He was a founding member of the Egyptian Scientific Society. He was also devoted to studying Arabic literature. He delivered lectures at al-Mashriqyyiat School in London. Among his writings are Islamic Invasions in Middle Asia and Its Relation to China and Ibn Battutas Journeys. In addition, he is one of the editors of the Islamic Encyclopedia. 4. The New Directions in Islam, pp. 30-31. 5. Lady Cobold: an English noblewoman who embraced Islam and visited Mecca on pilgrimage. She wrote her memories about this journey in her book Pilgrimage to Mecca (London, 1934). 6. Searching For Allah, pp. 111-112. TO BE CONTINUED BY ALLAHs GRACE.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 10:11:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015