23 October 2024

Drawing on decades of scholarship and his acclaimed English translation of the Qur’an, Professor Muhammad Abdel Haleem OBE shared valuable insights into the delicate art of translating the word of Allah into another language.

Titled Translating the Word of God: The Challenges and Triumphs in Qur’anic Translation, the event was part of the mosque’s newly launched initiative, ELM Connex, a dynamic platform where knowledge meets community.

East London Mosque CEO, Junaid Ahmed, highlighted Professor Haleem’s distinguished career, noting his position as Professor of Islamic Studies at SOAS University of London and his role as Director of the Centre for Islamic Studies. Ahmed also emphasised the ELM’s rich history of engaging with prominent Qur’anic scholars.

“The East London Mosque has a proud tradition of engaging with distinguished Qur’anic scholars, such as Muhammad Asad, Marmaduke Pickthall, and Muhammad Hamidullah, who all served as trustees of this great institution,” said Ahmed. “Their works are preserved in our archives, and today, we extend the same invitation to Professor Abdel Haleem, hoping to preserve his collection in our strong room for safekeeping and public exhibition to the communities.”

Professor Haleem, whose English translation of the Qur’an is widely acclaimed, shared insights into the complex journey of Qur’anic translation, which began in the 12th century. He emphasised the importance of understanding the Qur’an’s unique arrangement and the wisdom behind its structure, noting that authentic translation requires a deep comprehension of the contextual framework behind the arrangement of verses.

“Being faithful and accurate to what the Qur’an says, while ensuring it speaks to its intended audience, is crucial,” Professor Haleem explained, discussing the challenge of creating translations that resonate with different linguistic communities while maintaining loyalty to the original Arabic text.

The scholar also traced the evolution of Qur’anic translation, from early Orientalist attempts – often marked by polemic interpretations and linguistic errors – to the remarkable contributions of South Asian scholars from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India.

Reflecting on his own journey with Oxford University Press, Professor Haleem stressed the importance of clarity, accuracy, and creating translations that impact a new generation of English speakers. With over 100 translations of the Qur’an now available in English, he noted that each new attempt ventures into uncharted territory in the quest to convey Allah’s words with greater accuracy and clarity for the intended readers.

The event marks another milestone in the East London Mosque’s commitment to fostering Islamic scholarship in Britain.