Fatawa

The Ruling On Translating the Qur’an word-for-word – Shaikh Ibn ul-‘Uthaymeen

Question: Oh Virtuous Shaikh, What is the ruling on translating the Qur’an and explaining it word-for-word in other than Arabic?

Answer: “I ask you: is it possible to translate the Qur’an word-for-word? It is not possible ever. So the issue is supposed, not a reality because the languages other than Arabic differ from Arabic. They are not like Arabic in structure nor in expression. So like this, it is not possible to translate word-for-word. As for a translation by meaning, such that a person takes a verse and translates its meaning. Then there is no harm in this. Rather it is obligatory for the one who needs to understand it like that”

[Liqaa Baab al-Maftooh no. 50]

Translated by

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan

Print Friendly

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *