It is not permissible to publish or sell or purchase or distribute a translation of the Qur’an without the Arabic text. This is the unanimous view of the jurists and is the agreed position of the four schools of thought. Many sincere people in the UK are involved in Dawah projects doing some excellent work but are unaware of this. The former Grand Mufti of Pakistan, Mufti Muhammad Shafi Sahib issued a detailed edict (1) regarding this issue quoting the scholars of the past and highlighting the consequences of publishing the Qur’an without the Arabic text. The edict was signed by many scholars including Moulana Idris Kandhelwi, Mufti Mahmud Hasan Gangohi and others. Mufti Saeed Ahmed, the former Grand Mufti of Saharanpur, India signed the edict and added: “To publish the translation of the Quran without the Arabic original is not permissible. Reading from it and purchasing it is not permissible. Muslims should take all possible action against the publishers to stop the publication of such translations.”
(1/201)قال العلامۃ ابن الھمام فی فتح القدیر
وفی الکافی ان اعتاد القرائة بالفارسیة او اراد ان یکتب مصحفا بھا یمنع ، وان فعل فی آیة او آیتین لا ، فان کتب القرآن وتفسیر کل حرف وترجمته جاز ، انتھی۔
‘Allamah Ibn al-Humam states in Fathul Qadeer, “It is stated in al-Kafi, if a person makes a habit of recitation in Persian or intends to publish the Quran in Persian he will be stopped. If he does so for one or two verses, he will not be stopped. However, if he writes the Qur’an, and the interpretation of each letter and its translation, this is permissible”.
Hadrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi has outlined 10 reasons and consequences of publishing a translation of the Qur’an without the Arabic text.(2) These include assimilation with the non-believers who published the translations of the divine scriptures without the original text, leading to different translations and different versions that were adapted and modified over time to the extent that the adherents of the scriptures started to rely on these translations and abandoned the original scriptures. Over time, this led to alteration and distortion in the scriptures and disputes emerged within the faith communities that continue to date. Consequently, the translations have spread so widely that the original scriptures are not available. The protection of each word of the Qur’an is an obligation and any action that undermines its protection in the short or long term will be regarded impermissible. Publishing a translation of the Qur’an with the original Arabic text ensures the preservation of the original text should differences and errors arise within translations. It also ensures that all those who read the translation recognise that the translation is an attempt to understand the Qur’an and is not the actual direct word of Allah. Thus, any errors within the translation or apparent weaknesses are not attributed to Allah. In addition to this, it would make it difficult for any translator to distort the translation if the Arabic text is always published.
Some people suggest that it is permissible to publish translations of the Qur’an without the Arabic text for non-believers for Dawah purposes. This is incorrect. Non-believers can only be given translations of the Qur’an (with the Arabic text) provided one is assured it will not be disrespected and their guidance is intended. Non-Muslims who are given the Qur’an should be advised to purify themselves through a ritual bath or ablution before handling the Qur’an(3), notwithstanding the fact that scholars have differences of opinion whether non Muslims are obliged to perform a ritual bath for touching the Qur’an (4). In addition to this, a glance at the Arabic text of the Qur’an can sway the heart of believers and non-believers because it is the divine speech of Allah, each letter of which possesses an innate source of illumination, guidance and attraction.
In conclusion, it is not permissible to publish a translation of the Qur’an without the Arabic text and steps must be undertaken to stop the publication and distribution of such translations.
Allah knows best
Yusuf Shabbir (Blackburn, UK)
Checked and approved by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmed Sahib (Blackburn), Mufti Ikramul Haq Sahib (Blackburn) and Mufti Tahir Sahib (Blackburn).
SEE FULL FATWA HERE. Many questions that may arise are answered.
