Question

There are numerous translations of the Qur’an into English-which one would you recommend?

Answer

There are many translations of the meaning of the Qur’an in the English language, too many for evaluation in an objective way on this site.  Some are more accurate than others; some are not even done by Muslims, and those are not ideal to use.  It is recommended that every Muslim using a translation of the meaning of the Qur’an in English have at least two different translations of the meaning for reference.  Another thing to make sure we take note of is that the Qur’an can never be really translated; only its tafseer, or meaning can be translated.  The Qur’an is an Arabic Qur’an; all translations rely on different tafseers and interpretations, and that is why there are so many different translations of the meaning in English.  Some inaccurately refer to an English translation of the meaning of the Qur’an as the “English Qur’an”.  We open up the doors to the same mistakes of the religions before Islam when we use terms like this.  The infallible Qur’an is the revealed Qur’an in Arabic. There is only one Arabic Qur’an, no versions.  It stands today, al-hamdu lillah, as it was revealed to our Messenger, Prophet Mohammed, , over 1400 years ago.