Question

University finals are over for me, so I though I might do a little research into the Abrahamic religions. (More said, Christianity and Islam.)

To Christians I ask, what is the best translations to use?
To Muslims I ask, what is the best translations to use?

Answer 1

The Qur'an is to be read in Arabic, though I do understand the reason for translation. I would suggest Yusuf Ali, as he adds notations to his translations which help keep the reader within context and understanding.

Though I must stress the Qur'an is best read in Arabic form, for when reading it in its true state people say that one is not reading a book, but a book is reading them. ;-)

Answer 2

Well said @Opcode² The Qur'an is suppose to be read in Arabic so that the message of God would not be altered when translating it to another language (This is why the Bible is not a good source for Christians, It's been altered, translated three times into another language etc).

Answer 3

Strange, did Muhammad know Hebrew, Greek, Latin which were the languages the people of the Book spoke and wrote in. I know Islam also respected the Torah, Five Books of Moses, and in Koran there is only tows from it. It would seem to me that his knowledge of the Torah only came from conversation with the people of the Book, unless there was a Arabic translation of the Book.

Answer 4

Nope, Muhammad (PBUH) was illiterate, there is evidence support his illiteracy as well.

Islam respects the Tawrat (Torah), Injil (Bible), Sabians. (i.e. Pretty much Islam respects the religions that come from a prophet and have their own scripture that they deem is from God.) (Not to say Islam respects only those religions, pluralism is also voiced throughout the Qur'an for every belief.)

Muhammad (PBUH) was a trader so it is possible for him to have had conversations with people who were Jewish, but that is highly unlikely (looking at his travel charts, the chance of running into people of the Jewish faith was low). This is because Muhammad (PBUH) was in an area were idolatry was the mainstream religion. People back then used to come to Mecca and put idols in the Ka'aba and worship them. Even the Judaism that was around Mecca at the time was idol based (I think they Jews of the Ka'aba worshipped the sheep idol or something among that). (There is a chapter in the Qur'an which talks about this issue, and it is called 'The Jews' it is occasionally mistaken by non-Muslims to be thought of talking about all the Jews.)

Some of these verses maybe of interest to you:
"Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans – whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right – surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve." [Quran 2:62]

"Lo! those who believe, and those who are Jews, and Sabaeans, and Christians – Whosoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right – there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve." [Quran 5:69]

"Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians, Christians, Magians, and Polytheists,- Allah will judge between them on the Day of Judgment: for Allah is witness of all things." [Quran 22:17]

Note: Muhammad (PBUH) never claimed originality to Islam, he just went along confirming past scriptures and removing man's taint.

Answer 5

Interestingly, once Islam took over a area they really didn't care what religion one practiced under their realm, as long as they had complete control, unlike the Christian Romans. In the middle ages there was a theologian, St Selmo?, that came up with the principle "That, that has no greater is God", this is why the Pope took the title "Vicar of Christ, Christ presence on earth, and the Kings had absolute power. In the United States, through the first Amendment, the same principle is practiced, Iran, although a democracy, has a higher theocratic order.