The comparison between the translation of Al-Hilali, khan and the translation of arberry of the holy Quran – (surah al-Fatihah and 16 verses from surah al-Baqarah)

Abstract

This study focusses on comparison between the translation of Al-Hilali, Khan and the translation of Arberry of the Holy Quran. The study used the descriptive, analytical, and comparative methodology to find the similarities and disparities between the two translations. The nonnative Arabic speakers, particularly the native English speakers encounter difficulties in choosing the best translation to the Quran from the large number of translations. The main reason is their incompetence to comprehend the accurate meaning and context of Quranic texts in Arabic. Moreover, this comparison aimed to demonstrate the similarities and contrasts between the translation of a Christian scholar (Arberry) and the translation of two Muslim scholars (Al-Hilali and Khan) in term of their background of religion and Arabic linguistic context to enlighten the Muslims who do not understand the language of Quran in order to select the better translation available for them. The findings of this study reveal that a Muslim and a non-Muslim sharply contrast in numerous ways to translate the meaning of Quran and its linguistic context as they represent different religion and culture. Arberry, being a Christian translator, was not able to do translation in a manner to pinpoint the objectives of Quranic texts. On the contrary, he reflected the natural and cultural expressions of native English speakers while Al-Hilali and Khan employed equivalent and congruent vocabularies in their translations than Arberry. Simultaneously, AlHilali and Khan tried to clarify the meanings of Quranic texts based on the exegeses of Ibn Katheer and Al-Tabari. However, they also encountered problems in providing the intended meanings of Quran as their Translation also has no equivalent words for some Quranic nouns and verbs. Moreover, the translators seem to face problems to translate some religious texts which do not have corresponding vocabularies in other languages. Therefore, this study recommends the contemporary scholars to make commitment efforts in translation process and its actions to facilitate the easy comprehension of Quran for non-native Arabic speakers in crystal clear style in line with the modern trend to flourish the science and knowledge of noble Quran.