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Title: The Koran (Penguin Classics) by N. J. Dawood ISBN: 0-14-044558-7 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 01 July, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 2.5
Rating: 5
Summary: scholar frustrated with opinionated attacks
Comment: ... I believe that this translation has merit in that it relays the Koranic message in a way that is easy to understand. Those wishing to explore more precise, and thereby more complex versions, should ideally look to the original text, or a dual-language version, where there are adjacent columns of Arabic and English. Since the Koran is originally presented in verse, one may wish to read a tranlation which also presents the text in verse. But, for those who wish to study the text in a relaxed fashion, I would recommend this prose translation. Incidentally, another reviewer's comment clarifying the meaning of the word Qawamoon as truly meaning "have been charged with" is correct, based on my own research. BUT do not let this demerit the entire translation, for this is not the only translation that makes such a mistake. In general, I find this to be an excellent translation for the beginner.
Rating: 4
Summary: An Important Read
Comment: I had no real interest in Islam until 9/11, after which I picked up and read Islam: The Straigh Path by John Esposito. I then did an independent study of Sufism, which is what sparked my interest in Islam enough to read The Koran, its central text.
Although I cannot comment on the other reviewers' differing views on the accuracy of this translation, I can write that this translation does convey something of the thunderous power that Muhammad's earliest listeners must have heard and experienced when these suras (speeches - the Koran is a collection of 114 speeches given by Muhammad, which Muslims believe were revelations given to him by God) were first delivered.
There are a number of things that one could mention content-wise, as each sura deals with something slightly different. God, women, human relationships, one's relationship to the non-believing world, Judaism, Christianity, and Arabic paganism are all touched upon in the Koran (along with other topics). It reads much like the Bible at points, and many of the more familiar Biblical stories are here, along with extra-Biblical legends. The Koran really isn't a bizarre religious text, but very much belongs to the genealogy of monotheistic, prophetic writings.
One of the things that I really liked about this particular translation was the way that Dawood cross-referenced relevant Biblical texts from both the Tanak/Old Testament and the New Testament. The footnotes detailing Arabic pagan practice were also helpful, as were the footnotes giving basic historical information. One certainly gets a feel for where the Koran was coming from and who it was going to when it was first delivered.
In reading this, it is worth reflecting on how a passage can lend itself to multiple interpretations. There are very few passages in the Koran that make any mention of war, and far more passages that assert that one should leave judgment to God. Yet, in our own time, these passages on war seem to be used - in some circles, at least - far more often than the passages that counsel one to merely give warning and leave the rest to God.
I think that the Koran is worth reading, especially given the current socio-political climate and I found this particular translation to be helpful due to Dawood's many footnotes. Regardless of the translation you end up buying, at least check this one out as it will give you an important insight into the world of the early Muslims, which continues to shape our world today.
Rating: 2
Summary: truly awful transaltion!
Comment: Now, regarding the Quran and other scriptures, you know from the start it's going to be a slow read. Writers like Mohammed, St Paul, and others were not word-savvy and couldn't make a gripping read like Ian Fleming, JK Rowling, or Jean Auel. Nor did they care: their mission was to "speak God's word" not to entertain their converts.
Nevertheless, when I picked up this book, I soon realized that even Mohammed was better with words than this. He was, after all, an Arab, and the Arabs has long cherished the word as art (hence their beautiful calligraphy and poetry). But this book was beyond dry. Even though I was prepared for repetitious narrative, like that in the Bible, I seriously felt like I was reading a telephone book. It totally killed my appreciation for the book, even though I love studying the religous classics. I immediately dropped it and went for a better translation.
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Title: Islam by Caesar E. Farah ISBN: 0764112058 Publisher: Barrons Educational Series Pub. Date: February, 2000 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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