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This bilingual edition of the Qur'an, the Holy Book of Islam, was first published in the United States in 1988. Ahmed Ali, the distinguished Pakistani novelist, poet, critic, and diplomat, presents this elegant and poetic translation in a contemporary and living voice. On each page, the original Arabic and the translated English sit side by side, encouraging the reader to draw from both texts. Professor Ali also includes notes where necessary, providing the full meaning of each word and phrase. This accessible volume is truly essential for both scholars and followers of Islam.

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The most encompassing translation of the Qur'an

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No other translation captures the natural fluidity and poetry of the Arabic Qur'an like this translation does. Many people who have read the Qur'an often complain that the English is hard to understand, and after I sent this Qur'an as a gift to friends, they are now able to "feel" the Qur'an much like the Arabic readers, which is one of the true treasures of this revelation. 5 stars...the only Qur'an I would buy.

YAY	Customer Rating:
Finally, a translation of the Quran that stays true to its intended meaning. I had become confused when I read Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation of 4:34 in which he translated one line of the verse to mean that husbands can beat their wives. Ahmed Ali clearly analyzes this translation and claims that it is completely incorrect which is in line with Islamic beliefs.

A Good Bilingual Translation.

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First of all, if one is really to criticize quality of this translation of the Qur'an, one should learn Arabic thoroughly enough to actually read the Arabic portion of Prof. Ali's bilingual text (understanding what was implied and nuanced therein) and compare it to his rendering. This translation, however, is actually readable (though I cannot vouch for its accuracy) and really does convey the message of Islam quite persuasively -- a great book for English speakers who have only a basic knowledge of the Islam. Prof. Ali's footnotes, in this regard, are excellent in terms of contextualizing certain verses. Unfortunately, however, a few of the reviews still express ignorant, prejudiced, and intolerant views of Islam. Such would definitely be remedied by reading Prof. Ali's translation of the Qur'an with an open mind.

23 % of the world population (2005 Guiness World Records) ,

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This book is a very beautiful and well established interpretation of the Koran.( There is no translation which can capture its true literary eloquence as a Universally acknowledged World standard in Classical Arabic Literature due to the complex root based structure of Arabic - a sister language of Jesus's own tongue - Aramaic) Arabic is a Semetic Language (like Aramaic) FIRST : THE ONLY SEMETIC TERM FOR GOD = AaLaH ( see Aramaic Lexicon and Concordance ) Jesus Spoke Aramic ( not English!) He called God 'AaLaH ' - the only word for GOD in his language Muhammad Spoke Arabic ( not English!) He called God 'Allah ' - the only word for GOD in his language To understand this book fully requires a fairly detailed understanding of the history (to give meaning to the context of some of the verses)as well an appreciation of the original language and style. But a minimum basic understanding may be gained from e.g. Sarwar and Toropov's 'The Koran'. Without some sort of navigation the first time reader will find some of the passages difficult to appreciate. I recommend this translation/interpretation as an all-round good rendition.However,there are several other (entirely different ) styles of English translation ranging from King James English to near-current day English translations. All versions give different shades of emphasis on the original Arabic text.( E.g. Aberry , Pickthall, Asad ,Haleem, G.Sale's etc...... to name a few) There is a great British Tradition in appreciating the Koran: 1. The first ever translation from English direct From Arabic was by the London Lawyer George Sales in 1734 ( with a fabulous 'preliminary discourse' giving the History and background detail...download a free copy from www.manybooks.net !) 2. Marmaduke Pickthall - another Englishman whose translation is now a standard. 3. Arthur J Aberry - Professor of Arabic , Cambride University. Also a standard work. 4. John Penrice - An East Anglian based English Scholar of Arabic who , as far as I am aware has produced one of the best ever 'Dictionary and Glossary of the th Koran' - highly recommended for those who want to understand the original lanugauge of the 7th Century Arabia. 5. Karen Armstrong - an ex-Roman Catholic Nun ,graduate of Oxford University and author of extremely informative historical , popular text ( e.g. A History of God, Islam, a short History and Muhammad , a biography of the Prophet etc..).Her views are balanced and informative, and a good general background read to set the scene for the Koran and its proper interpretation. 6. Michael H Hart 'The 100:A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History' placed Muhammad at first place. Why ? Answer:Read for yourself. The Key of course is.. The Koran. Finally - I think any reader who wants to read this translation ,provided he is properly prepared and informed will gain a great deal from Ahmed Ali's excellent translation of a very complex and intellectually stimulating , emotionally stirring and fabulously acclaimed Arabic Book

You Won't Do Better

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This translation of the Koran by Ahmed Ali is about as good as it gets for the English-speaking reader. Out of all the translations available locally, (and I compared many, side by side, passage to passage), this is IT. True, Ali does hang on to a generally archaic tone, but no more so than 'Lord of the Rings' does. 'Haply' and 'verily' are peppered throughout the text very much like the 'hark's and 'lo's of the JPS Tanakh. 'Compeer' is a regularly occuring word (has any contemporary English speaker used THAT in a sentence lately?). My favorite is 'obliquities'. Nonetheless, these things do not interfere with the basic clarity and readability of the translation. And unlike a couple of readable versions done by non-Muslims, Ali communicates a great deal of cultural and literary information sensitively and with style. Other reviews give me the idea many Christians are reading this for indications of the barbarity of Islam. I guess the savagery of the Hebrew Bible is insufficient for them. Christians might be better served by reading the Koran for its statements about Jesus, Mary and the Trinity. Mohammed's views do not represent his personal, idiosyncratic views. They represent sectarian Christian traditions that were alive and well in his time: that Jesus did not rise from the dead, nor was he the son of God. Read your books carefully!