The Critical Qur’an will be out May 3. Preorder the hardcover here or kindle here.
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mortimersays
An ‘honest’ translation of the Koran into English is truly needed, because even ‘literal’ translations of the Koran have missed small details that really zoom in on the violent and hate-filled intent of ‘Allah’s’ words of contempt against the dirty kufaar.
In other words, while most Muslim translators euphemistically downplay the rage-filled, violent anger of the Koran, most non-Muslim translators downplay them a bit as well.
An example of this ‘downplaying’ is part of K. 48.29
-“muḥammadun rasūlu l-lahi wa-alladhīna maʿahu ashiddāu ʿalā l-kufāri”
-“Muhammad (is the) Messenger of Allah and those who (are) with him (are) firm against the disbelievers”
The Arabic (aSHiddaa3u) word covers a very broad semantic field and the specific meaning depends on the context in which the word is used. Its usual meanings include powerful, sharp, ardent, extreme, strong, intensive, rigorous, severe, vehement, quick, violent, and vigorous. The above adjectives make the ayat even more severe and discriminatory. If the verse in question is to be understood in the context of self-defense against physical attacks by unbelievers, then words like harsh, terrible, implacable are probably correct.
A recurring theme in the Qur’an is opposition to disbelievers and mutual support within the community of Muslim believers. There may be, however, a problem with the translation of this verse. The key word is rendered as “harsh” in some versions. Other translators use other words. Yusuf ‘Ali uses “strong”. Rodwell uses “vehement”. Dawood uses “ruthless”. Palmer uses “vehement”. Pickthall uses “hard”. In French, Grosjean uses “dur” (harsh or hard) and Kasimirski uses “terrible”. Ben Mahmoud uses “implacable”.
But in any context, the ayat implies the application of a double standard whenever one is wronged by a non-believer as opposed to a believer. Moreover, the Koran’s many verses commanding warfare against the disbelievers BECAUSE they are disbelievers (K.9.5) give the context of ‘ashidaa’, as does Sharia law: Quote … “Duty to fight disbelievers. “The caliph (o-25) makes war upon Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians” from Book O: Justice, Chapter O-9.0: Jihad, Reliance of the Traveller (Sharia law manual).
mortimersays
Further to comments on K. 48.29, a bug-boo I have is that so many English speakers translate KAFIR as something kinder, softer and gentler than what the orginal word ‘KAFIR’ implies. Most Muslim translators use the English word ‘DIS-BELIEVER’ as the closest equivalent of the insulting KAFIR in Arabic. A KAFIR is someone who willfully, intentionally and maliciously ‘COVERS’ the ‘truth’ about Mohammed’s prophethood.
A KAFIR is evil because he blocks the will of Allah to let Muslims take over the world … thus overriding the desire of the dis-believers.
The dis-believers (kufaar) are hated by Allah for not believing Mohammed is a valid prophet.
The implication of ‘KAFIR’ is that non-Muslims secretly, inwardly KNOW that Islam is true, but their maliciousness causes them to rebel against Allah … thus the dirty kufaar should wiped out before they can extinguish Allah’s message.
The words used to translate KAFIR such as ‘infidel’ or ‘un-believer’ don’t cut it … they don’t emphasize the stubborn rebellion against Allah which is implied by KAFIR.
gravenimagesays
Good points, Mortimer–especially about the translation of “Kafir” This is usually translated as “non-Muslim”, and it is that. But it actually means *concealer of the truth*. Muslims believe that even unbelievers who have never heard of Islam are–somehow–actively and perversely rejecting what they know to be the truth, and so they deserve to be murdered.
mortimersays
‘Concealer-of-the-truth’ … haven’t seen that ‘equivalent’ term. It is superb! Thanks.
‘Perversely rejecting’ is another excellent phrase to explain how Muslims perceive of kafirs.
gravenimagesays
Thank you, Mortimer–this means a lot to me, coming from someone so knowledgeable about Islam.
“The word “non-Muslim” is used in the translation of Shari’ah law means far more than non-Muslim. The original meaning of the word was “concealer”, one who conceals the truth of Islam.
Compare this to the Christian view, where they suppose that people who have not heard about Christianity may love to hear the “good news”
gravenimagesays
David Wood video: The Critical Qur’an is ‘the Qur’an you need right now’
…………..
Looks as though Robert Spencer goes through this material with a fine tooth comb. I’m looking forward to reading it!
Jayellsays
‘The Critical Qur’an’…..Sounds a rather odd title, since one never normally associates anything islamic with advanced civilised intellectual faculties. However, I shall most probably be buying this book.
Infidelsays
I just hope that Bombardier would be more relaxed about the translation of this book into foreign languages. I saw RS discussing w/ Jaipur Dialogues the issues that arise when any of his books need translating in terms of how his publisher gets involved
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mortimer says
An ‘honest’ translation of the Koran into English is truly needed, because even ‘literal’ translations of the Koran have missed small details that really zoom in on the violent and hate-filled intent of ‘Allah’s’ words of contempt against the dirty kufaar.
In other words, while most Muslim translators euphemistically downplay the rage-filled, violent anger of the Koran, most non-Muslim translators downplay them a bit as well.
An example of this ‘downplaying’ is part of K. 48.29
-“muḥammadun rasūlu l-lahi wa-alladhīna maʿahu ashiddāu ʿalā l-kufāri”
-“Muhammad (is the) Messenger of Allah and those who (are) with him (are) firm against the disbelievers”
The Arabic (aSHiddaa3u) word covers a very broad semantic field and the specific meaning depends on the context in which the word is used. Its usual meanings include powerful, sharp, ardent, extreme, strong, intensive, rigorous, severe, vehement, quick, violent, and vigorous. The above adjectives make the ayat even more severe and discriminatory. If the verse in question is to be understood in the context of self-defense against physical attacks by unbelievers, then words like harsh, terrible, implacable are probably correct.
A recurring theme in the Qur’an is opposition to disbelievers and mutual support within the community of Muslim believers. There may be, however, a problem with the translation of this verse. The key word is rendered as “harsh” in some versions. Other translators use other words. Yusuf ‘Ali uses “strong”. Rodwell uses “vehement”. Dawood uses “ruthless”. Palmer uses “vehement”. Pickthall uses “hard”. In French, Grosjean uses “dur” (harsh or hard) and Kasimirski uses “terrible”. Ben Mahmoud uses “implacable”.
But in any context, the ayat implies the application of a double standard whenever one is wronged by a non-believer as opposed to a believer. Moreover, the Koran’s many verses commanding warfare against the disbelievers BECAUSE they are disbelievers (K.9.5) give the context of ‘ashidaa’, as does Sharia law: Quote … “Duty to fight disbelievers. “The caliph (o-25) makes war upon Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians” from Book O: Justice, Chapter O-9.0: Jihad, Reliance of the Traveller (Sharia law manual).
mortimer says
Further to comments on K. 48.29, a bug-boo I have is that so many English speakers translate KAFIR as something kinder, softer and gentler than what the orginal word ‘KAFIR’ implies. Most Muslim translators use the English word ‘DIS-BELIEVER’ as the closest equivalent of the insulting KAFIR in Arabic. A KAFIR is someone who willfully, intentionally and maliciously ‘COVERS’ the ‘truth’ about Mohammed’s prophethood.
A KAFIR is evil because he blocks the will of Allah to let Muslims take over the world … thus overriding the desire of the dis-believers.
The dis-believers (kufaar) are hated by Allah for not believing Mohammed is a valid prophet.
The implication of ‘KAFIR’ is that non-Muslims secretly, inwardly KNOW that Islam is true, but their maliciousness causes them to rebel against Allah … thus the dirty kufaar should wiped out before they can extinguish Allah’s message.
The words used to translate KAFIR such as ‘infidel’ or ‘un-believer’ don’t cut it … they don’t emphasize the stubborn rebellion against Allah which is implied by KAFIR.
gravenimage says
Good points, Mortimer–especially about the translation of “Kafir” This is usually translated as “non-Muslim”, and it is that. But it actually means *concealer of the truth*. Muslims believe that even unbelievers who have never heard of Islam are–somehow–actively and perversely rejecting what they know to be the truth, and so they deserve to be murdered.
mortimer says
‘Concealer-of-the-truth’ … haven’t seen that ‘equivalent’ term. It is superb! Thanks.
‘Perversely rejecting’ is another excellent phrase to explain how Muslims perceive of kafirs.
gravenimage says
Thank you, Mortimer–this means a lot to me, coming from someone so knowledgeable about Islam.
Here is more, from the site islamandquran.org:
“What is Kufr, Who is Kafir?”
https://www.islamandquran.org/common-mistakes/what-is-kufr.html
And here:
“The word “non-Muslim” is used in the translation of Shari’ah law means far more than non-Muslim. The original meaning of the word was “concealer”, one who conceals the truth of Islam.
https://ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/cspi-web-media/documents/ShariaLaw_look_inside.pdf
Compare this to the Christian view, where they suppose that people who have not heard about Christianity may love to hear the “good news”
gravenimage says
David Wood video: The Critical Qur’an is ‘the Qur’an you need right now’
…………..
Looks as though Robert Spencer goes through this material with a fine tooth comb. I’m looking forward to reading it!
Jayell says
‘The Critical Qur’an’…..Sounds a rather odd title, since one never normally associates anything islamic with advanced civilised intellectual faculties. However, I shall most probably be buying this book.
Infidel says
I just hope that Bombardier would be more relaxed about the translation of this book into foreign languages. I saw RS discussing w/ Jaipur Dialogues the issues that arise when any of his books need translating in terms of how his publisher gets involved