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Najeeb Kazmi |
I have been quite amused over time with
Mr. Shirazi's Quranic translations. Just recently,
however, (something which is against my nature), I embarked
upon a small project of comparison of translations of Akhtar
Shirazi to about five (5) major translations of the Quran.
Why did I invest time in such a work, which otherwise would
appear to be a complete wastage of time?....just to
understand the "mindset" of Mr. Shirazi.
I have not added or subtracted a single
word from the actual Quranic translations or from the
translations of Mr. Akhtar Shirazi. The translations of Mr.
Shirazi were extracted from his
post # 089, which he sent to Rafi Aamer during
discussions on
"Cartoon Crisis-Muslim Sensibilities......"
I leave it to the readers to judge, how
Mr. Shirazi perceives and finally conceives the meaning of
verses in the Quran. I understand a bit of Arabic language,
and could not relate his translations to what these words
actually mean.
[7:19] And (We said): O Adam! Dwell you
and your wife in the garden; so eat from where you desire,
but do not go near this tree, for then you will be of the
unjust.
AKHTAR
SHIRAZI'S TRANSLATION
[7:19]‘When the human beings finally reached [after 2.5
billion years of evolution] the status of Adam [a social
entity, way above the closest primates] Allah advised the
new species, “You are free to dwell anywhere on this earthly
paradise and have complete independence to work
and eat, wherever
you want on this lovely planet.
But there
are certain limits you must respect in order to protect your
social setup from the adverse effects of too much freedom.
The humans
belong to a single genus and constitute an extensively
large family, which must never divide into different groups
or parties, with the end result of conflicts and dissensions
amongst you. You must evenly distribute the sources of
wealth on this planet, in accordance with Allah‘s Fiscal
Policy, to satisfy every one’s needs. If there is a clash of
interest amongst you, in that case your paradise on earth
shall turn into a burning hell. Anarchy, pandemonium or,
even mayhem may become order of the day.’
[41:40] Surely they who deviate from the
right way concerning Our communications are not hidden from
Us. What! is he then who is cast into the fire better, or he
who comes safe on the day of resurrection? Do what you like,
surely He sees what you do.
AKHTAR
SHIRAZI'S TRANSLATION
[41:40]‘You
have complete freedom of choice and you may select any way
of life you want. But Allah’s system based upon eternal code
is watching your every move and results of your action shall
be compiled upon the basis of our infinite knowledge.’
[35:1] surely Allah has power over all
things.
AKHTAR SHIRAZI'S TRANSLATION
[35:1]‘Certainly, Allah has established rules and
regulations for every eventuality, within this universe and
beyond. With the assistance of His immutable rules, He keeps
a close watch, what goes on around? With the repetition of
the same verse 35 times in the Qur’an, He assures every one;
His laws are irreversible and there shall be no change in
various limits imposed by Him for any one.’
[2:170] And when it is said to them,
Follow what Allah has revealed, they say: Nay! we follow
what we found our fathers upon. What! and though their
fathers had no sense at all, nor did they follow the right
way.
AKHTAR
SHIRAZI'S TRANSLATION
[2:170]‘In
response to the above declaration, they came up with a
simple answer, “We would follow the path of our forefathers
and keep on doing, whatever they did.” What an unintelligent
line of reasoning; their irrational ancestors were not on
the right path.’
[25:73] And they who, when reminded of
the communications of their Lord, do not fall down thereat
deaf and blind.
AKHTAR
SHIRAZI'S TRANSLATION
[25:73]‘Allah accepts those people as real
Muslims, who avoid adopting every commandment of the Qur’an,
without complete understanding and comprehension, but use
their innate intelligence and analytical logic for accepting
or rejecting it.’
[8.29] O you who believe! If
you are careful of (your duty to) Allah, He will grant you a
distinction and do away with your evils and forgive you; and
Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.
[90.10] And pointed out to him
the two conspicuous ways?
[90.11] But he would not attempt the uphill road,
[90.12] And what will make you comprehend what the
uphill road is?
[90.13] (It is) the setting free of a slave,
[90.14] Or the giving of food in a day of hunger
[90.15] To an orphan, having relationship,
[76.2] Surely We have created
man from a small life-germ uniting (itself): We mean to try
him, so We have made him hearing, seeing.
[76.3] Surely We have shown him the way: he may be
thankful or unthankful.
[76.4] Surely We have prepared for the unbelievers
chains and shackles and a burning fire.
AKHTAR SHIRAZI'S TRANSLATION
[8:29, 90:10, and
76:3]
‘Despite the fact that
Allah possesses unlimited power, yet He has no desire to
enforce the divine social order, embodied in the Qur’an, on
this planet or on other extraterrestrial life forms, by
compulsion. It is against his plan of independent
development and progressive approach. Indubitably, He
clearly indicated the right and the wrong paths and then
left humans free to come up with their own choice. Whoever
forcefully rebels against the Qur’an or chooses to adopt the
right path by rejecting oppressive powers, is making a
definite decision. The one who has made the correct
selection has indeed grabbed the trust worthiest hand, which
shall never break away. This is the promise of Allah, Who
possesses the best documentation system, in lieu of His
unlimited knowledge.’ [8:29, 90:10, and 76:3]
[4.136] O you who believe!
believe in Allah and His Apostle and the Book which He has
revealed to His Apostle and the Book which He revealed
before; and whoever disbelieves in Allah and His angels and
His apostles and the last day, he indeed strays off into a
remote error.
[4.137] Surely (as for) those who believe then
disbelieve, again believe and again disbelieve, then
increase in disbelief, Allah will not forgive them nor guide
them in the (right) path.
[4.138] Announce to the hypocrites that they shall
have a painful chastisement:
AKHTAR SHIRAZI'S TRANSLATION
[4:136]‘Those, who first
accepted Islam [started struggling for the establishment of
a peaceful society based upon the constitution of the Qur'an],
then went back and joined the opposite camp [non-Muslims],
once again turned around to become a part of the Muslim
Ummah, but left one more time and then grew stubborn in
their denial of the truth; such type of people shall neither
be protected from the Laws of Allah, nor they shall ever
find the right path. They shall plunge deeper into ignorance
and ignominy.’
[5.32] For this reason did We
prescribe to the children of Israel that whoever slays a
soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the
land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it
alive, it is as though he kept alive all men; and certainly
Our apostles came to them with clear arguments, but even
after that many of them certainly act extravagantly in the
land.
AKHTAR SHIRAZI'S TRANSLATION
[5:32]‘If one kills a
person without a just cause, it shall tantamount to the
killing of the whole humanity. Conversely, if one saves the
life of a single person, it shall be like saving the entire
humankind.’
[49.13]
O you men! surely We have created you of a male and a
female, and made you tribes and families that you may know
each other; surely the most honorable of you with Allah is
the one among you most careful (of his duty); surely Allah
is Knowing, Aware.
AKHTAR SHIRAZI'S TRANSLATION
[49:13] ‘Certainly,
every individual [regardless of race, religion, color and
nationality] on this planet is equally honorable, as far as
Allah is concerned. Unquestionably, the noblest amongst you
from Allah’s standpoint is the one,
who obeys Allah’s commandments for the
establishment of a peaceful and prosperous society in this
world.’
[53.38] That no
bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another-
[53.39] And that man shall have nothing but what he
strives for-
[53.40] And that his striving shall soon be seen-
AKHTAR SHIRAZI'S TRANSLATION
[53:39]‘In that society, one works to the best of one’s
ability [giving one’s best shot, as per American slang] and
is rewarded in accordance with
the efforts made.’
Najeeb Kazmi
April 17, 2006
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