An Overview of Qur'ān Translations by the Orientalists

Abstract

The Qur'ān is the holy book of Islam, the world largest religion of practicing followers. It enjoys a pivotal the position in forming ideological, practical and devotional life of the Muslims. Though it is untranslatable as per Muslim Orthodoxy, its message can be rendered into the languages other than Arabic. The Orientalists were attracted to translate it as early as 12^th Century AD and the very first translation of the Qur'ān into any Western language was done into Latin in 1143 AD by Robert of Ketton since then it has been translated multiple times into multiple languages. The first English translation was rendered in 1649 AD by Alexander Ross based on a French translation of Andre du Ryer followed by many others till now. The present paper seeks to have an analytical overview of the Qur'ānic translations by the Orientalists particularly English translations.