God’s Word, Man’s Interpretations: A Critical Study of the 21st Century English Translations of the Quran and The Contributions of Abdur Raheem Kidwai to Qur’anic Studies

Description

God’s Word, Man’s Interpretations: A Critical Study of the 21st Century English Translations of the Quran evaluates the relative strengths and weaknesses of 30 English translations of the Quran which have come out recently, between 2000 and 2017. This assessment of the Quranic scholarship adumbrates several issues: translatability of the Word of God, translators’ ideological presuppositions and intrusions, the need and relevance of the English translation and the growing trends and changes in the field to which both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars alike have vigorously contributed. It also points out how the field of English translation of the Quran now serves as a new site for forging interfaith relations.

The Contributions of Abdur Raheem Kidwai to Qur’anic Studies: Professor Abdur Raheem Kidwai allows readers to interact with the Qur’anic translations and commentaries through his meticulous and unbiased reviews. From 1649 to the present, Qur’anic translations in English vary in language, style and temperament. An accomplished reviewer, Prof. Kidwai has set new pathways to approach the meaning and message of the sacred text. To this end, his two-volume Qur’anic reviews include a broad survey of Qur’anic literature in the twenty-first century. Kidwai’s Qur’anic worldview is succinctly expressed in one of his titles, God’s Word, Man’s Interpretations: A Critical Study of the 21st Century English Translations of the Quran. The present study assumes greater importance and relevance towards a coherent understanding of translations in today’s globalized and multifaith world.