| Translating the Quran into English is a crucial responsibility for scholars proficient in both the English language and Islamic culture. It is essential for these scholars to accurately convey the profound teachings of this divine text to those seeking truth, in light of the guidance provided by the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (a). Recognizing and utilizing an appropriate translation to convey the pure teachings of the Quran is of utmost importance. Therefore, this study aims to critically and comparatively analyze three famous English translations of the Quran by George Sale, Arberry, and Qarai, focusing on methodology, vocabulary, tafsīr, grammar, and rhetoric, particularly regarding the initial verses of Sūrat al-Fātiḥa. The goal is to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of each translation, providing the reader with deeper insights for selecting a preferred translation. This research demonstrates that, in addition to existing weaknesses in methodology, vocabulary, and phrases, Sale’s translation exhibits shortcomings in various literary, exegetical, and translational layers. Arberry’s translation also shows weaknesses in grammatical structure, vocabulary, and meaning transfer. In comparison, Qarai’s phrase-by-phrase translation is considered the most accurate and the best among the three in terms of style, structure, vocabulary, and meaning transfer. The author believes that the best translation style is one that aligns with the norms and language of the general public, and the most effective translation method is a phrase-by-phrase approach. Additionally, the exegetical foundations of the Shiʿi school of Islam, centered on the teachings of the Infallibles (a), should be taken into account for understanding the meanings of words and phrases in the Quran. All exegetical, grammatical, and rhetorical points must be considered in a suitable translation to provide an optimal rendering of the Quran. |
