The Qur'an: A Verse Translation

by M.A.R. Habib, Bruce B. Lawrence

A monumental feat of Islam’s founding text rendered in limpid English verse that echoes the sublimity of the Arabic original. The product of a ten-year-long collaboration between one of our most respected scholars of Islam (Bruce B. Lawrence) and a poet and scholar of literature (M.A.R. Habib), The Qur’ A Verse Translation offers readers the first edition in English to echo, in accessible and resonant verse, the sonorous beauty of the Arabic original as well as the complex nuances of its meaning. Those familiar with the Arabic―and especially the faithful who hear the text recited aloud―know that the Qur’an is a perfect blend of sound and sense. While no translation can perfectly capture these complementary virtues of the original, Habib and Lawrence have come closest to an accessible, clear, and fluid English Qur’an that all readers, no matter their faith or familiarity with the text, can read with pleasure and with a deeper appreciation for the book and the religious tradition founded upon it.

Genres: Islam

672 pages, Hardcover

Published February 13, 2024

About the author

see Rafey Habib

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite English translation.

[Sidik Fofana]

SIX WORD REVIEW: Read for layout, philosophy, historical references.

[Avi · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst things I have ever read. I dragged myself through it because of its historical importance. But the text is meandering, rambling, obsessively repetitive, dull, and derivative. I can see why it’s said to only read this in Arabic. The primary value and beauty of this is in the original language. Platitudes and worse really requires style to make it palatable.

[John Mannebach III · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated the verse translation of this holy book. Although I believe the text itself is worthy of two stars (compared to the Gita, Torah, and New Testament), the only reason this wasn’t a 5-star translation was because it missed analysis. I would’ve appreciated more of a “study” verse-translation of the Qur’an

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This year I decided to read each of the holy books of the three major monotheistic Abrahamic religions. Going in chronological order I started with the Hebrew Bible, then the Christian Bible, and finally the Qur’an.

In some ways the least accessible of the three to an American reader, in other ways the theology laid out in this book is far more cohesive and unified than what’s presented in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. The God of those books seems to vary wildly in action and temperament with each different chapter. Not to mention the vast difference between the God of the Old Testament and the one in the New. The God described in the Qur'an however, is remarkably consistent, as is its message. Given its place in history coming after previous works, it’s interesting to see an Islamic perspective on older scripture as a whole and on specific elements in particular. This book takes for granted that its audience knows about Moses, Mary, and Jesus; and uses these familiar stories to support its own theology. It uses the story of Moses to illustrate the power of God and that of Jesus to inveigh against concepts anathema to Islam, like God having a son etc.

It's a little frustrating to read a translation of poetry that’s widely touted as supremely beautiful in its original language. I’m sure it is, the quality of the text itself is repeatedly cited as proof of its authenticity. Of course no English translation can really come close. That being said I liked this verse translation (albeit having no basis for comparison) and especially appreciated the explanatory notes before each Sura.

[Julia Carrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alhamdullilah, alhamdullilah. Our Lord has blessed us with another translation of the most perfect book, bound to bring us closer to Him!!

Of course, when I saw one of the translators was a Hegel scholar, I knew I was at home. This is a truly beautiful translation throughout. The kind of gentle control of language that asks you to step back and admire its eloquent composition.

Becasue I was trying to complete the entire book during our holy month of Ramadan, I jumped right into the translation without reading the introductory notes-- I eagerly look forward to returning to them soon. But the few pieces I did read touched me very deeply, in particular how the translators wrote the verses such that they could be recited aloud as the mushaf is. I read some of surah Nur aloud in this way and it was a very profound and beautiful experience.

I know that this translation has much more to unveil to me and I look forward to rereading it and sharing it with friends and family for years to come, by His perfect grace.

[Yashvijay Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Quran itself is an incredibly boring read, even when compared to other religious books like the bible or the mahabharata. But, it’s still interesting to read, you’ll learn a lot about islam and 7th century arabia. And I think this translation was pretty good, with in-depth footnotes and an introduction that gives just the right amount of context. Not so much where I started to skim it, but enough to where I felt I understood the historical context of the book and the life of the prophet Mohammed.

But when it comes down to it, this is a book that around 1.5 billion people believe is the genuine word of god. No harm in reading it to see what all the hype is about, especially considering that it’s quite short, at least when compared to something like the bible.