The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

Very recommended

I'm not Muslim, but I wanted to get a clear understanding of the contents in The Holy Qur'an. This translation is the best one I've found anywhere before. While some translations may take a more word-for-word approach, this particular one provides context and updates the holy text in understandable terms for the modern day English reader. I couldn't be happier to have found such an invaluable resource at such an affordable price.

Buena traducción y buena tapa, más la portada de papel venía defectuosa.

Good translation easy to understand

Great Qur'an translation especially for beginners. It is easy to read, organized chapter (surah) by chapter, and includes clear explanations in simple English. It is a complete English translation without the Arabic script.

Wonderful modern-pros translation. I use this for an easy modern-read; YusufAli for spiritual insights; Muhammad Asad for transliteration and rational and classical opinions; and the Study Quran for a compilation of thoughts and commentary. Regarding the 2018 audio, mp3 CD version: Great clear translation and reader; audio has introductory material, but no footnotes. Having read the text-based book, I purchased the audio MP3 CD version. This is one of a few translations I recommend: the other is the 2015 Study Quran for its commentary; I myself am also partial to the older language of Pickthall. Favoring this translation, I wanted to see how an audio version is rendered. I am mostly not disappointed: It is read by an experienced reader with a British accent who also knows Arabic. The cd is divided into 117 files, one for the introduction (same as the one that appears in the text, but without the map), a separate file for each of the surahs/chapters, a brilliance audio blurb, and a xml file listing the contents. ON the cd, the chapters are marked by number and not named; the audio calls them by their number and English name only. In total, the book is on 2 CDs with 117 files, totaling about 794 megabytes. It comes in a good cd case, like one for DVDs; both CDs are side-by-side, with the second/rightmost somewhat underneath the first. Though I am happy with the text, the audio version sadly does not contain the footnotes found in the print edition; it would have been good to put them at the end of each file. But the footnotes are few in the original text. So, for the casual reader, perhaps little is lost. (I still wish they were included!) Each file does contain the introduction to the surah/chapter found in the print edition. I quite like the narrator’s voice (Ayman): male, clear, skilled, well-inflected, with a British accent, and interested in reading the contents. I recommend this audio version for anyone who wants to listen to this translation; and I recommend this translation for its clear, modern, elegantly eloquent pros. The introduction, and its audio file, address the topics of: The Life of Muhammad and the Historical Background, The Revelation of the Quran The Compilation of the Quran, The Structure of the Quran: Suras and Ayas, Stylistic Features, Issues of Interpretation A Short History of English Translations, and This Translation. The portions not in the audio are: A Chronology of the Quran, Select Bibliography, and the Map of Arabia at the Time of the Revelation. The Fatiha (Opening chapter) reads in the translation as follows. 1. THE OPENING This sura is seen to be a precise table of contents of the Quranic message. It is very important in Islamic worship, being an obligatory part of the daily prayer, repeated several times during the day. 1 In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, a the Giverb of Mercy! c 2 Praise belongs to God, Lordd of the Worlds, e 3 the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy, 4 Master of the Day of Judgement. 5 It is You we worship; it is You we ask for help. 6 Guide us to the straight path: 7 the path of those You have blessed, those who incur no angerf and who have not gone astray. The footnotes (not in the audio) are: a Most occurrences of this term rahman in the Quran are in the context of Him being mighty and majestic as well as merciful. The addition of the word ‘Lord’ here is intended to convey this aspect of the term. b This term rahim is an intensive form suggesting that the quality of giving mercy is inherent in God’s nature. c This is the only instance where this formula, present at the start of every sura but one, is counted as the first numbered verse. d The Arabic root r-b-b has connotations of caring and nurturing in addition to lordship, and this should be borne in mind wherever the term occurs and is rendered ‘lord’. e Al- alamin in Arabic means all the worlds, of mankind, angels, animals, plants, this world, the next, and so forth. f Note that the verb here is not attributed to God. Salam/peace.