Translating the Qur’an for Today with Professor Abdel Haleem

The Quran is the majestic word of Allah (swt), it gives Muslims life. In the Quran, Allah speaks to all human beings and those that read the Quran revere the majesty of its style and prose. Professor Muhammad A. S. Abdel Haleem is the Professor of Islamic Studies and director of the Centre for Islamic Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies of London University, as well as editor of the Journal of Qur’anic Studies. Born in Egypt, he learned the Qur’an by heart during childhood. Haleem has published two translations of the Qur'an including the wonderful The Qur'an: A New Translation (2004).

Listen to the audio version of the podcast:

Find us on:

#thethinkingmuslimpodcast episode 159

Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
2:50 – Beauty of Qur’an
8:56 – The style of the Qur’an
18:04 – History of translating of Qu’an
18:46 His translation Vs Others
35:30 Limitations when translating
39:55 Western Islamic Studies
45:28 Should we study Qur’an
52:40 Mufassireen and some false ideas?
56:00 – Qur’an and life
57:52 -Tiredness with Quran

[CMS_]

The professor's translation lead me to discovering Islam and then converting to Islam 13 years ago. I am immeasurably grateful!

[SubboorAhmadAbbasi]

Living legend! I love his translation! May Allah bless him

[simplelifecooking]

May Allah make the Quran easy for us and light of our heart

[asif]

Wow what a guest. Such intellect at the tender age of 94. Truly remarkable

[DJReddyFox]

Alhumdulilah!! Professor Hameem's translation of the Quran was vital to my reverting to Islam!!! It's incredible!!

[thejellofishh]

This translation made me come back to Islam! May Allah SWT share whatever little reward I may earn from my practicing life with this great man in the hereafter!

[fredmiami]

Quran is a miracle, a mesmerizing sound, a captivating experience, a heart warming, a refreshing feeling of joy, a euphoric and overwhelming feeling…and more.

[naseemahmad]

I ordered his translation after listening this episode, and I am excited to read it.
May Allah bless both of you.

[wildanamahmuda]

listening this podcast fulfilled me, I really want to attend quranic study so bad😭, may Allah make it happen, Aamiin

[RachaSteitieh]

MashaAllah..his kmowledge..his poise..his wisdom ..his clear love towards the book of Allah ..his lightheartedness are inspirational.

[Amy-]

Dear professor I agree with you 100 %I grew up in Egypt in a French school and I needed a translation sometimes to understand fully what i was reading and i always felt exactly what you are saying ! Some of them I thought were intentionally done to repulse instead of attracting the reader. Some other times i felt that the most important and spiritual word was omitted.. 10 yrs later i allowed myself to start translating Quran in French as well i understanding.. A long and amazing journey.. Listening to you bring me hope and happiness.. Looking really forward to reading yours! Thank you from the❤
iman

[hudahassan]

Thank you Professor & @thinking muslim ! more than 15 years ago, I found this translation which makes me promised myself to have more meaningful of relearning al quran and arabic after living in the cobweb of working life! I have the same shame as muslim not really knowing understanding the quran, still learning ! Barakallah!

[shanaziqbal]

This podcast could not have come at a better time. I come from a generation where we were always taught the Quran in Arabic and given no context or understanding of it. If we ever asked a question we were told that we were rude and should not question elders. We never understood it and were blindly led by people who threatened us by saying we disobeyed what was written if we didn't follow them. It is a brilliant idea to read the Quran in English. I can't wait to read Professor Abdel Haleem's translation. Thank you for this amazing podcast.

[nikzniky]

Thank you, Professor ❤
🇵🇸🕊️🌏🕊️
Thank you, brother.

[nanashi]

Wow Masha'Allah this man's translation is the standard for academic work on the Qur'an in the West

[The_Maori_muslimah]

Masha’Allah what a wonderful interview, I really enjoyed listening to this tonight. Such wonderful words of wisdom, barak Allah fik.

[zaynumar]

wow. just seen this pop up on the feed. WALLAHI, I had theintention to sit down and film an interview with mr abdel haleem. I had a whole letter written by me, waiting to be sent. Congrats and Bravo TTM for hosting this wonderful man. may allah preserve him. Cannot wait to watch this.

[LorraineH]

Such a brilliant, trail blazing guest ma sha Allah. Please bring Professor Abdel Haleem back to speak on other topics of which he is also a great scholar.

[AAcommonsense]

Jazakillahukairun for this amazing podcast! The best so far. May Allah preserve him and continue to make him a source of goodness, Ameen

[imranbasit]

Excellent interview. Professor Haleem is a Towering personality and he has given me so much peace, thanks to your podcast, that learning Arabic n grammar is not possible for non Arab but can understand the meaning in ‘flowing English’ as well.❤🤲🤲🤲